DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160141584 | High Voltage Electrical Center With Connectorized Bulkhead - An electrical assembly, such as a high voltage electrical center that controls the flow of electricity between a battery pack and the propulsion system of an electric or hybrid electric vehicle. The assembly includes a plurality of electrical connectors configured to receive and mate with a plurality of corresponding mating connectors and a housing containing a plurality of electrical devices interconnected to the plurality of electrical connectors. The housing includes a bulkhead defining a plurality of connector shrouds that axially surrounds each connector in the plurality of electrical connectors. Each connector shroud is configured to receive a connector body of a corresponding mating connector. The plurality of connector shrouds is integral to the bulkhead. The bulkhead, and thereby the shrouds, may be formed of a composite conductive material containing electrically conductive fibers within a dielectric matrix. | 05-19-2016 |
20150341109 | SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WITH TIME-MULTIPLEXED COMMUNICATION FROM SPOT BEAM DEFINED SUB-REGIONS - A communication system includes a satellite and a ground station. The satellite is configured to preferentially receive signals from each of a plurality of sub-regions within a region of communication of the satellite. The ground station is configured to determine a location of the ground station, determine in which of the sub-regions that the ground station resides based on the location, and transmit a signal to the satellite during a time-interval assigned to the sub-region. The ground stations time-multiplex the transmission of signals from various ground stations to the satellite based on which sub-region of the larger region (e.g. the continental United States or CONUS) that the ground station resides. The time multiplexing is such that ground stations in one region are not transmitting signals to the satellite during the same time interval as ground stations in adjacent sub-regions. | 11-26-2015 |
20150336463 | ACTIVE ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE MITIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method to mitigate electromagnetic interference generated by a source resonator of a wireless charging system is presented. The system includes a receiver that configured to receive a wireless charging signal transmitted by the source resonator, a phase shifter in communication with the receiver and configured to generate a canceling signal that is 180° out of phase with the wireless charging signal currently received by the receiver, and a transmitter in communication with the phase shifter and configured to electromagnetically transmit the canceling signal, thereby canceling at least a portion of the wireless charging signal. The canceling signal being at the same frequency and 180° out of phase interferes with the charging signal to reduce or eliminate electromagnetic interference in the vicinity of the vehicle being charged. | 11-26-2015 |
20150331086 | RADAR SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED MULTI-TARGET DISCRIMINATION - A includes a plurality of antennas and a controller. Each antenna is configured to detect a reflected radar signal reflected by an object in a field-of-view of the system. The controller is configured to receive an antenna signal from each antenna corresponding to the reflected radar signal detected by the antenna. The controller is also configured to determine a reflected signal profile of each antenna signal. The controller is also configured to determine a composite data set based on a combination of the reflected signal profiles. The controller is also configured to determine if the composite data set includes a composite data point characterized as greater than a composite threshold. The controller is also configured to determine if any of the reflected signal profiles indicate that the radar signal is reflected by more than one object. | 11-19-2015 |
20150329069 | CONDUCTOR HARNESS ASSEMBY HAVING A FLEXIBLE SHEATH - A conductor harness assembly having a main trunk that branches into a first and second branch and a unitary sheath that is formed of a flexible material. A first, second, and third portion of the sheath is circumferentially wrapped about the main trunk, the first branch and the second branch respectively. The sheath may be formed of a woven cloth material, a thermoelastic material, or a combination of the two. The sheath may include attachment features such as barbed pins formed integrally with the sheath. | 11-19-2015 |
20150314689 | FOREIGN OBJECT DETECTOR FOR NON-CONTACT CHARGING DEVICE - A non-contact charging device for charging a battery in a vehicle includes a source resonator, and a foreign object detector. The source resonator is configured to transfer electrical energy to a capture resonator in a vehicle. The foreign object detector is configured to detect a foreign object proximate to the source resonator. The foreign object detector includes a vertical antenna configured to detect a foreign object above the source resonator, and a horizontal antenna configured to detect a foreign object beside the source resonator. | 11-05-2015 |
20150314688 | VARIABLE GAIN REFERENCE ANTENNA FOR NON-CONTACT CHARGING DEVICE - A non-contact charging device for charging a battery includes a source resonator, a reference antenna, and a variable gain amplifier. The source resonator is configured to transfer electrical energy to a capture resonator in a vehicle. The reference antenna is configured to detect a reference signal originating from the source resonator. The reference antenna is configured to be less sensitive to a presence of a foreign object than a foreign object detection (FOD) antenna proximate to the reference antenna. The variable gain amplifier is configured to amplify a reference signal from the reference antenna. | 11-05-2015 |
20150308885 | DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE OCCUPANT DETECTION - An occupant detection system is configured to classify an object that resides on a seat of a vehicle. The system includes a first bladder, a second bladder, and a differential pressure sensor. The first bladder is configured to be disposed in a central area of a seat. The second bladder is configured to be disposed in a peripheral area of the seat. The differential pressure sensor is fluidicly coupled to the first bladder and the second bladder in a manner effective to determine a pressure difference between a first pressure of the first bladder and a second pressure of the second bladder. In one configuration, the first bladder and the second bladder are configured so the pressure difference when a person sits on the seat is greater than the pressure difference when a child-seat occupies the seat. | 10-29-2015 |
20150303490 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A FUEL CELL STACK HAVING AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE INTERCONNECT - A method of manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell stack having an electrically conductive interconnect, including the steps of: (a) providing a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell, (b) providing a substrate having an iron-chromium alloy, (c) depositing a layer of metallic cobalt over a portion of substrate surface, (d) subjecting the layer of metallic cobalt to reducing conditions, (e) then exposing the remaining portion of the layer of metallic cobalt to oxidizing conditions for a predetermined time and temperature, such that the surface portion of the layer of metallic cobalt is oxidized to cobalt oxide, thereby forming the electrically conductive interconnect having a layer of metallic cobalt sandwiched between a surface layer of cobalt oxide and the layer of cobalt-iron-chromium alloy, and (f) sandwiching the substrate between the first and second fuel cells. | 10-22-2015 |
20150295357 | CONNECTOR WITH VIBRATORY CONNECTION FEEDBACK - A connector having a connector body defining a first protrusion and a connector position assurance (CPA) device in the form of a sleeve axially surrounding the connector body that is moveable along a mating axis. The sleeve defines a second protrusion configured to engage the first protrusion when a first force is applied to the sleeve as the connector is mated with a corresponding mating connector. The second protrusion is configured to slide over the first protrusion and then disengage the first protrusion when a second force is applied to the sleeve, thereby producing a vibratory response in the sleeve. The vibratory response is a tactile vibration or an audible vibration. The second force applied to the sleeve is greater than the first force and the second force may be applied to the sleeve in the same direction as the first force or in the opposite direction. | 10-15-2015 |
20150295354 | VIBRATION RESISTANT CONNECTOR SYSTEM WITH CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE DEVICE - A connector that is configured to be inserted within a cavity of a shroud defined by a mating connector along a longitudinal axis, including a connector body which defines a first resilient member and a first wedge member that is configured to urge the first resilient member into compressive contact with the shroud of the mating connector along a vertical or longitudinal axis. The connector may include a plurality of pairs of resilient members and wedge members to provide compressive contact along more than one axis. The wedge members may be incorporated into a connector position assurance device (CPA). | 10-15-2015 |
20150292298 | GEOTHERMIC HEATER SYSTEM - A geothermic heater system for heating a geological formation includes a fuel cell stack assembly disposed at the surface of the geological formation and includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent, thereby producing an anode exhaust and a cathode exhaust. The geothermic fuel cell system also includes a combustor disposed within a bore hole of the geological formation. The combustor combusts a mixture at least one of the anode exhaust and the cathode exhaust to produce a heated combustor exhaust. The combustor discharges the heated combustor exhaust to heat the geological formation. | 10-15-2015 |
20150288099 | ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER - An electrical distribution center having a base connected to one or several wiring harnesses and a connector body that is configured to be electrically and mechanically connected to the base. The connector body houses electrical devices such as relays, fuses, and control modules. The connector body is secured to the base by a pair of slides having dog-leg shaped slots that engage studs on the base. A single slide lever having two arms attached to each of the slides is pivotably attached to the connector body and the slides and is configured to simultaneously move the dog-leg shaped slots relative to the studs on the base, thereby securing the connector body to the base. | 10-08-2015 |
20150253420 | MIMO ANTENNA WITH ELEVATION DETECTION - A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna for a radar system that includes a receive antenna, a first transmit antenna, and a second transmit antenna. The receive antenna is configured to detect radar signals reflected by a target toward the receive antenna. The first transmit antenna is formed of a first vertical array of radiator elements. The second transmit antenna is formed of a second vertical array of radiator elements distinct from the first vertical array. The second transmit antenna is vertically offset from the first transmit antenna by a vertical offset distance selected so an elevation angle to the target can be determined. | 09-10-2015 |
20150253419 | MIMO ANTENNA WITH IMPROVED GRATING LOBE CHARACTERISTICS - A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna for a radar system that includes a first transmit antenna, a second transmit antenna, and a receive antenna. The first transmit antenna is configured to emit a first radar signal toward a target. The first transmit antenna is formed of a first vertical array of radiator elements. The second transmit antenna is configured to emit a second radar signal toward the target. The second transmit antenna is formed of a second vertical array of radiator elements distinct from the first vertical array. The receive antenna is configured to detect radar signals reflected by a target toward the receive antenna. The receive antenna is formed of a plurality of paired vertical arrays of detector elements. | 09-10-2015 |
20150244159 | WIRE CABLE ASSEMBLY HAVING A TERMINAL WITH AN ENCAPSULATED WIRE END - A wire cable assembly includes a terminal having a termination segment attached to an end of a wire cable, a connection segment configured to attach to a mating terminal, and a transition segment intermediate the termination segment and the connection segment. The transition segment of the terminal has a generally rectangular cross section and a recess defined in at least one distal edge and preferably both distal edges of the transition segment. The recess may alternatively be characterized as a concavity, notch, hollow, or indentation. A sealant is applied to the transition segment and a sleeve encloses at least a portion of the termination segment, the end of the wire cable, and at least a portion of the transition segment. The sealant fills the recess(es) and blocks a leak path between the sleeve and the distal edge. The sleeve may be a section of dual wall heat shrink tubing. | 08-27-2015 |
20150239367 | OCCUPANT DETECTION DEVICE WITH TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION - An occupant detection device for a vehicle seat is provided. The device includes a sensor and a spring. The sensor is configured to indicate a first state when a seat is not occupied and a second state when the seat is occupied. The spring is configured to urge the sensor toward the first state. The spring is also configured to provide a return force that varies with a temperature of the spring | 08-27-2015 |
20150229056 | ELECTRICAL TERMINAL WITH ENHANCED CLAMPING FORCE - An electrical connector having one or more pairs of opposing contact arms extending from a body portion and configured to receive a mating connector. A spring clamp member is positioned over the opposing contact arms to increase a compressive force of the contact arms on the mating connector. The contact arms include stabilizing features to limit lateral, longitudinal, and/or rotational movement of the spring clamp member relative to the contact arms. The contact arms may be formed of a material having a high electrical connectivity and the spring clamp member may be formed of a different material having a higher relaxation temperature than the contact arm material. The mating connector may include be a male blade type terminal. | 08-13-2015 |
20150222038 | LOW INSERTION FORCE TERMINAL - A low insertion force female terminal that is configured to make electrical contact with a male pin. The terminal includes a spring portion configured to be deflected by the pin as the pin is inserted into the terminal. The spring portion is also configured to urge a contact feature formed into the spring portion toward the pin to make electrical contact with the pin. The contact feature is characterized by an asymmetrical shape configured so a leading-edge ramp angle of the contact feature is less than a trailing-edge ramp angle of the contact feature. The asymmetrical shape reduces the peak insertion force for the terminal when compared to terminal designs that have symmetrically shaped contact features with similar dimensions. | 08-06-2015 |
20150219489 | OCCUPANT DETECTION DEVICE - A vehicle seat occupant detection device configured to indicate if a seat of a vehicle is occupied based on a weight of an occupant occupying the seat is provided. The device includes a spring and a sensor. The spring is configured to urge the device toward an unoccupied state. The sensor is configured to cooperate with the spring in order to determine an amount of deflection of the spring. In this way, the spring operates both as a return spring and an object that the sensor can detect and thereby determine the relative proximity of the spring. | 08-06-2015 |
20150162733 | GROMMET WITH SPREADER MOUNTING FEATURE - A flexible grommet with a grommet spreader mounting and alignment feature is provided. The grommet is configured to attach an object to a support structure. A body of the grommet defines an opening configured to clamp around the object. The opening defines a plurality of channels configured to facilitate mounting of the grommet onto the spreader. The channels may also be configured to correctly orient a mating feature of the grommet relative to the spreader. | 06-11-2015 |
20150162704 | LOW PROFILE CONNECTOR LOCKING MECHANISM - A latching mechanism releasably secures a first connector to an interlocking second connector, such as a first and second electrical connector. The first connector defines a lock tab. The second mating connector includes a lock arm defining a lock nib configured to engage the lock tab and an outwardly extending stop. The lock arm is connected to the second connector by a resilient U-shaped strap. A transverse hold down beam is connected to the second connector and is configured to engage the stop when a separating force is applied between the first and second connector and increase the hold-down force on the lock nib. The second connector further comprises a shoulder that is coplanar with the U-shaped strap and configured to engage the U-shaped strap when the separating longitudinal force applied between the first connector and the second connector increases, further increasing the hold-down force on the lock nib. | 06-11-2015 |
20150162697 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINAL - An electrical terminal configured to be attached to an end of a conductive wire cable having an insulative jacket surrounding the cable. The electrical terminal defines a prong having a pointed end that is configured to penetrate the insulative jacket, thereby inhibiting rotation of the electrical terminal about the longitudinal axis of the conductive wire cable. The electrical terminal may define a protruding triangular lock tang configured to engage a lock edge within the cavity of an electrical connector body, thereby inhibiting removal of the electrical terminal from the cavity. | 06-11-2015 |
20150162692 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTION SYSTEM - An electrical connection system configured to terminate electrical connectors and to transmit digital electrical signals having a data transfer rate of 5 Gigabits per second (Gb/s) or higher. The system includes a first parallel mirrored pair of terminals having a planar connection portion and a second pair of parallel mirrored terminals having a cantilever beam portion and a contact points configured to contact the first terminals. The cantilever beam portions are generally perpendicular to the planar connection portions. The terminals cooperate to provide consistent characteristic impedance. The connection system further includes an electromagnetic shield that longitudinally surrounds the terminals. The connection system is suited for terminating wire cables transmitting digital signals using data transfer protocols such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) 3.0 and High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 1.3 | 06-11-2015 |
20150158422 | LIGHT-PIPE CUT FROM SHEET STOCK FOR INSTRUMENT PANEL - A vehicle instrument panel assembly that includes a light-pipe configured to guide light emitted from a light source to a location on the assembly remote from the light source. The light-pipe is advantageously cut from a sheet of light-transmissive material using a laser. | 06-11-2015 |
20150155544 | BATTERY ASSEMBLY INTERNAL CONNECTION DEVICE - A battery assembly internal connection device for making an electrical connection within a battery assembly that includes a plurality of cells. The device is operable from a pre-stage position where no electrical connection is made to a final position where an electrical connection is made. The device includes a terminal configured to make electrical contact with a first electrode of a cell when the device is operated to the final position. The terminal may optionally include a sharp portion configured to cut through dielectric material covering the first electrode as the device is operated from the pre-stage position to the final position. | 06-04-2015 |
20150125200 | HOUSING WITH SELF-MOUNTING FEATURE - A housing with a self-mounting feature is provided. The housing includes a base that is configured to define a hook that cooperates with a back side of a panel and a first edge of an opening of the panel to secure the housing to a front side of the panel. The housing further includes a retainer that is operable to an un-engaged position and an engaged position. The retainer is configured to define a blocker portion that cooperates with a second edge of the opening to keep the hook adjacent to the first edge when the retainer is in the engaged position. | 05-07-2015 |
20150124094 | MULTIPLE IMAGER VEHICLE OPTICAL SENSOR SYSTEM - An optical sensor system that includes a master lens, an optical diffuser, and a plurality of optoelectronic devices. The master lens is positioned on the vehicle to observe a field of view about the vehicle. An optical diffuser is located proximate to a focal plane of the master lens. The diffuser is configured to display an image of the field of view from the master lens. A plurality of optoelectronic devices is configured to view the diffuser. A first optoelectronic device generates a first video signal indicative of images on a first portion of the diffuser. A second optoelectronic device generates a second video signal indicative of images on a second portion of the diffuser. Optionally, the first optoelectronic device is sensitive to a first light wavelength range, and the second optoelectronic device is sensitive to a second light wavelength range distinct from the first light wavelength range. | 05-07-2015 |
20150123838 | RADAR ANTENNA ASSEMBLY - A radar antenna assembly includes a microstrip patch, a hybrid coupler, a phase shifter, and a power divider. The microstrip patch is configured to emit a radar signal. The radar signal is characterized by a transmitted polarization of the radar signal. The transmitted polarization is influenced by a first transmit signal received at a first port of the microstrip patch and a second transmit signal received at a second port of the microstrip patch. The hybrid coupler is configured to orthogonally combine a first input signal and a second input signal to output the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal. The phase shifter is operable to vary the phase of the second input signal relative to the first input signal. The power divider is configured to divide unequally a source signal so the amplitudes of the first input signal and the second input signal are substantially equal. | 05-07-2015 |
20150121950 | EVAPORATOR HAVING A HYBRID EXPANSION DEVICE FOR IMPROVED ALIQUOTING OF REFRIGERANT - An automotive evaporator heat exchanger is provided having a hybrid expansion device configured to aliquot refrigerant across the refrigerant tubes. The hybrid expansion device includes a first stage refrigerant pressure drop device and a second stage refrigerant pressure drop device. The first stage refrigerant pressure drop device is a TXV configured to receive and expand a liquid phase refrigerant into a first mixture of two phase refrigerant and the second stage refrigerant pressure drop device is a tube extending within the inlet manifold configured to expand the first mixture of two phase refrigerant into a second mixture of two phase refrigerant. The tube includes a plurality of orifices and a tube diameter large enough to prevent resistance to refrigerant flow, but, small enough to prevent the first mixture of two phase refrigerant flow from separating into liquid and vapor strata. | 05-07-2015 |
20150114711 | METHOD FOR SPLICING SHIELDED WIRE CABLES AND CABLES MADE BY SAME - A method of splicing shielded wire cables includes the steps of providing a first, second, and third shielded wire cable each having a core conductor axially surrounded by a shield conductor which is axially surrounded by an insulative jacket, providing a flexible insulation layer, a flexible conductive layer, and a section of dual wall heat shrink tubing. The first portion of the flexible insulation layer about the joined first, second, and third core conductors, wrapping the flexible conductive layer about the first, second, and third shield conductors, and disposing the flexible conductive layer and portions of the first, second, and third insulative jacket within the section of dual wall heat shrink tubing, thus forming a shielded wire cable splice. | 04-30-2015 |
20150114339 | COLD START STRATEGY AND SYSTEM FOR GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION COMPRESSION IGNITION ENGINE - A method for starting a compression ignition engine having at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston located therein, an intake valve configured to control the intake of air to an intake port of the cylinder and an exhaust valve configured to control the expulsion of gas from an exhaust port of the cylinder. The method includes the steps of: cranking the engine, conditioning intake air at the intake port of the cylinder to raise the temperature of air in the cylinder, controlling a valve timing the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve to allow the piston to compress the air within the cylinder, thereby increasing the temperature of the air within the cylinder, and injecting fuel into the cylinder when the air within the cylinder has been heated to a temperature sufficient to support compression ignition of a gasoline and air mixture within the cylinder. | 04-30-2015 |
20150061698 | ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE (EMI) TEST APPARATUS - A radio-frequency (RF) energy coupling apparatus for electromagnetic interference (EMI) susceptibility testing of a device. The apparatus includes a ground-plane, a micro-strip, a first dielectric layer, a coupling-strip, and a second dielectric layer. The micro-strip overlies the ground-plane. The first dielectric layer is interposed between the ground-plane and the micro-strip. The combination of the ground-plane, the micro-strip, and the first dielectric layer cooperate to form a micro-strip transmission line configured to propagate RF energy from a RF generator to a termination load. The coupling-strip overlies the micro-strip opposite the first dielectric layer. The coupling-strip is configured to couple RF energy from the micro-strip to a harness wire connected to the device. The second dielectric layer is interposed between the coupling-strip and the micro-strip. | 03-05-2015 |
20150035517 | VEHICLE INSTRUMENT PANEL WITH MAGNET EQUIPPED POINTER - A vehicle instrument panel assembly configured to determine an orientation angle of a stepper motor actuated pointer of the assembly. The assembly includes a pointer, a stepper motor, a magnet, and a sensor. The pointer is movable about an axis to point to indicia on a display surface of the assembly. The stepper motor is coupled to the pointer via a reduction gear arrangement. The magnet is fixedly coupled to the pointer such that a magnetic field direction generated by the magnet corresponds to an angle of the pointer. The sensor is configured to determine the magnetic field direction of the magnet and output a signal indicative of the angle of the pointer. | 02-05-2015 |
20140330449 | RELAY ATTACK PREVENTION FOR PASSIVE ENTRY PASSIVE START (PEPS) VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEMS - A passive entry passive start (PEPS) vehicle security system configured to thwart a relay attack on the system. The system includes one or more ultra wideband transceivers (UWBX) installed on a vehicle and configured to transmit a request pulse at a request time. A mobile UWBX, possibly installed in a nomadic device such as a smart phone, is configured to transmit a reply pulse in response to the request pulse. A controller is configured to determine a distance between each UWBX and the mobile UWBX based on a time interval between the request time and a time that corresponds to when the reply pulse is received by the each UWBX. The controller may also be configured to unlock doors of the vehicle only if the distance is less than an unlock threshold. | 11-06-2014 |
20140322995 | ELECTRICAL TERMINAL WITH A LOCKING LANCE - An electrical terminal for automotive vehicle connectors comprising a cage extending in a terminal insertion direction between a front opening and a tail. A locking lance extends longitudinally substantially in the insertion direction above the top wall from a joint to a free end. The locking lance is astride an intermediate bar which extends substantially along the insertion direction from a front portion to a rear portion respectively linked to the front end and the rear end of the cage. | 10-30-2014 |
20140322976 | ELECTRICAL CABLE CONNECTOR SHIELD WITH POSITIVE RETENTION LOCKING FEATURE - A shielded, or coaxial, electrical cable assembly including a female shield connected to the outer conductor, or shield, of the cable. The female shield is configured to mate with a male shield to maintain the continuity of the shield in a connection. The male shield includes a flexible protrusion that is designed to align with and snap into an aperture defined in the female shield, thereby providing a mechanical connection between the male and female shields. The male shield also defines a flexible contact adapted to closely engage an interior surface of the female exterior shield, thereby providing an electrical connection between the male and female shields. The flexible protrusion and the flexible contact flex along axes that are generally orthogonal to one another so the flexible contact interacts with the female exterior shield substantially independently of the flexible protrusion. | 10-30-2014 |
20140305480 | THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR TO ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY - An assembly for coupling thermally a thermoelectric generator (TEG) to an exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust manifold forms a first heat exchanger configured to couple thermally heat from exhaust gas to an outer surface of the first heat exchanger. The outer surface is preferably formed of stainless steel. A first dielectric layer is formed by firing a thick-film dielectric material onto the stainless steel of the first heat exchanger. A first conductor layer is formed by firing a conductive thick-film onto the first dielectric layer. A first paste layer of silver (Ag) based sintering paste is interposed between the first conductor layer and a first contact of the TEG. The first contact is sintered to the first conductor layer when the assembly is suitably arranged and suitably heated. | 10-16-2014 |
20140302702 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR SYSTEM CONNECTABLE IN A STRAIGHT OR RIGHT ANGLE CONFIGURATION - An electrical connector system having a male and female connector. The male connector includes a U-shaped shroud axially surrounding a male terminal having an opening generally perpendicular to the male terminal's longitudinal axis. The female connector includes a female terminal having two openings, one generally parallel with the female terminal's longitudinal axis and another generally perpendicular to that axis. The male and female terminals mate in a parallel configuration having the male terminal axis generally parallel to the female terminal axis or in a perpendicular configuration having the male terminal axis generally perpendicular to the female terminal axis. A connector body holds the female terminal. The connector body defines a locking means that releasably secures the connector body to the shroud in both the parallel and perpendicular mating configurations. The locking means may include a triangular shaped lock tab that engages a similarly shaped lock aperture. | 10-09-2014 |
20140299083 | VALVE TRAIN SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE VALVE LIFT - A valve train system includes a camshaft with a camshaft lobe that is rotatable about a camshaft axis. A control shaft is rotatable about a control shaft axis and includes an eccentric control shaft slot. An input rocker engages the camshaft lobe and has a rocker slot. An output rocker engages a valve actuation member which is engaged with a combustion valve. A rocker pivot shaft has a rocker pivot shaft axis and is fixed to the output rocker and extends through both the control shaft slot and the rocker slot. Rotation of the camshaft causes the input rocker and the output rocker to pivot about the rocker pivot shaft axis and rotation of the control shaft changes the magnitude that the input rocker and the output rocker pivot about the rocker pivot shaft axis and also changes the magnitude of opening the combustion valve. | 10-09-2014 |
20140292554 | METHOD OF OPERATING A RADAR SYSTEM TO REDUCE NUISANCE ALRRTS CAUSED BY FALSE STATIONARY TARGETS - A method for operating a radar system on a vehicle to reduce nuisance alerts caused by a stationary structure proximate to the vehicle. The method includes determining a stationary count indicative of the number of targets detected by the radar system that are within a travel path of the vehicle and are classified by the radar system as stationary, and indicating that the vehicle is proximate to a stationary structure if the stationary count is greater than a count threshold. | 10-02-2014 |
20140287621 | ELECTRICAL SPLICE ASSEMBLY - An electrical splice assembly includes a housing having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and an intermediate portion defining a plurality of terminal retention cavities between the forward portion and the rearward portion. A conductive bus plate is retained within the forward portion of the housing. A plurality of terminals each extend into a respective terminal retention cavity and each terminal is in electrical contact with the bus plate. Each of the terminal retention cavities is defined by 1) a pair of opposing sidewalls connected to the forward portion and to the rearward portion and 2) a pair of opposing retention beams. The retention beams each include a latch which engages a respective terminal to retain the terminals in the terminal retention cavities. | 09-25-2014 |
20140286453 | SATELLITE COMMUNICATION HAVING DISTINCT LOW PRIORITY INFORMATION BROADCAST INTO ADJACENT SUB-REGIONS - A satellite communication system using hierarchical modulation to transmit a plurality of modulated signals to sub-regions within a region. Each modulated signal includes high priority content and low priority content. The system includes a satellite equipped with a plurality of satellite transmitters coupled to a plurality of antenna elements, e.g. a phased array of antenna elements. The antenna elements are utilized selectively to direct a modulated signal from a satellite transmitter to a distinct sub-region. The satellite transmitters and antenna also cooperate to broadcast the high-priority content to the region such that a ground receiver traveling from a first sub-region to an adjacent second sub-region adjacent will not experience a loss of high-priority content. First low-priority content of a first modulated signal directed to the first sub-region is independent of second low-priority content of a second modulated signal directed to the second sub-region. | 09-25-2014 |
20140285320 | KNOCK TO UNLOCK VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM - A vehicle security system that includes a knock detection means such as a microphone configured to detect knocking on the vehicle such as knocking on a window of the vehicle. The system includes a controller configured to receive a signal from the knock detection means and unlock a door of the vehicle if the signal corresponds to a predetermined pattern. | 09-25-2014 |
20140284033 | HEAT EXCHANGER - A heat exchanger includes a stack of heat exchanger plate pairs that each define an internal volume and include an inlet and an outlet such that a first medium flows from the inlet to the outlet along a flow axis. The inlets together form an inlet header through the heat exchanger plate pairs and the outlets together form an outlet header through the heat exchanger plate pairs. The heat exchanger also includes an array of fins disposed between and in thermal contact with adjacent heat exchanger plate pairs. The array of fins defines flow channels between the adjacent heat exchanger plate pairs such that a second medium flows through the flow channels along the flow axis. One end of the array of fins includes a cut-out area which causes a first portion of the array of fins to be positioned laterally from either the inlet header or the outlet header. | 09-25-2014 |
20140283789 | FUEL RAIL WITH PRESSURE PULSATION DAMPER - A fuel rail assembly includes a hollow fuel rail extending along a fuel rail axis and includes at least one outlet for dispensing fuel from the fuel rail. A fuel rail damper is disposed within the fuel rail and extends along a fuel rail axis from a first fuel rail damper end to a second fuel rail damper end for damping pressure pulsations within the fuel rail. A fuel rail damper support is included for positioning the fuel rail damper within the fuel rail. The fuel rail damper support includes an attachment section for fixing the fuel rail damper support to the fuel rail damper and a biasing section that applies a biasing force to prevent axial movement of the fuel rail damper within the fuel rail. | 09-25-2014 |
20140277927 | FUEL CONSUMPTION COMPENSATION FOR EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS SYSTEM LEAK DETECTION METHODS - A method for monitoring an evaporative emissions control (EVAP) system that includes compensating a diagnostic leakage test based on a fuel consumption amount during a test interval is disclosed. The method includes establishing a leak test pressure in the EVAP system, operating the operating the associated valves and pumps such that the EVAP system is expected to be isolated, determining an actual pressure change of the EVAP system, determining an expected pressure change of the EVAP system based on vehicle operating conditions that include the fuel consumption amount, and indicating that a leak is detected if the actual pressure change differs from the expected pressure change by more than a difference threshold. | 09-18-2014 |
20140273594 | SHIELDED CABLE ASSEMBLY - A wire cable assembly capable of transmitting signals at speeds of 5 Gigabits per second over a single pair or conductors. The cable has a characteristic impedance of 95 Ohms and can support transmission data according to either USB 3.0 or HDMI 1.3 performance specifications. The wire cable includes a pair of conductors, a shield surrounding the conductors, and a dielectric structure configured to maintain a first predetermined spacing between the conductors and a second predetermined spacing between said the conductors said shield. The shield includes an inner shield conductor enclosing the dielectric structure, a ground conductor external to the inner shield conductor, extending generally parallel to the pair of conductors, an outer shield conductor enclosing the inner shield conductor and the ground conductor. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262424 | SHIELDED TWISTED PAIR CABLE - A wire cable capable of transmitting digital signals with a data rate of at least 5 Gigabits per second (Gb/s). The wire cable includes an insulated twisted pair of conductors and an inner conductive shield enclosing the conductors. The insulation of the twisted pair is bonded to provide consistent spacing between the conductors. A belting formed of a flexible dielectric is disposed between the shield and the bonded twisted pair. The belting provides consistent spacing between the twisted pair and the inner shield. The wire cable further includes a drain wire disposed outside the inner conductive shield and inside an outer conductive shield that encloses both the drain wire and the inner conductive shield. This combination of elements provides a wire cable having consistent impedance that is capable of transmitting digital signals with a data rate of at least 5 Gb/s via a single twisted pair of conductors. | 09-18-2014 |
20140259660 | GROUNDING ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR A SHIELDED CABLE - A method is provided for forming a grounding arrangement on a shielded cable which includes a conductive core, a core insulation layer, a conductive shield layer, and an outer insulation layer. An inner ferrule is positioned adjacent an end portion of the conductive shield layer that has been exposed, the inner ferrule is crimped around the core insulation layer, and the end portion is folded over the inner ferrule to radially surround the inner ferrule. An electrically conductive outer ferrule is positioned radially adjacent to the end portion and the outer ferrule is crimped radially around the inner ferrule to capture the end portion radially between the inner ferrule and the outer ferrule, thereby fixing the outer ferrule in electrical contact with the conductive shield layer. | 09-18-2014 |
20140253346 | SYSTEM TO ALIGN A VEHICLE WITHIN A PARKING LOCATION USING THERMAL TARGETS - A system to align a vehicle in a parking location includes a plurality of heat generating devices, such as infrared LEDs, arranged in a surface of the parking location to produce a distinctive thermal pattern. A multiple zone temperature sensor is mounted to view the heat generating devices and is configured to output thermal data for each of the zones. A controller is configured to receive the thermal data and determine a thermal map of the plurality of heat generating devices. A display provides a graphic indication of the thermal map and a thermal alignment target. The system may be used to align a vehicle having a capture resonator of a wireless power transfer system to a parking location having a source resonator of a wireless power transfer system. | 09-11-2014 |
20140252578 | BALANCED STRESS ASSEMBLY FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - An assembly for packaging one or more electronic devices in die form. The assembly includes substrates on opposite sides of the assembly, with lead frames between the electronic devices and the substrates. The substrates, lead frames, and electronic devices are sintered together using silver-based sintering paste between each layer. The material and thicknesses of the substrates and lead frames are selected so stress experienced by the electronic devices caused by changes in temperature of the assembly are balanced from the center of the assembly, thereby eliminating the need for balancing stresses at a substrate level by applying substantially matching metal layers to both sides of the substrates. | 09-11-2014 |
20140238741 | HERMETICALLY SEALED WIRE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A wire connector assembly configured to provide a hermetic seal between two distinct environments and a method of constructing same is presented. The assembly includes insulated wire cables having ends that are spaced apart and joined by a wire splice element within a connector body, thereby interrupting a fluid leak path through the strands of the wire cables. The connector body formed of a fiberglass filled epoxide epoxy material may be over-molded the wire splice elements having a matte tin plated finish. A portion of connector body or the wire splice element may be disposed intermediate to the ends of the wire cables, providing an additional physical barrier to the fluid leak path. The materials selected and the shape of the wire splice elements are selected to mitigate the formation of microcracks between the connector body and splice elements that could allow the infiltration of gases through the connector assembly. | 08-28-2014 |
20140236458 | METHOD FOR PERFORMING EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS ON ENGINES CONFIGURED FOR STOP-START OPERATION - A method of operating an engine in a vehicle equipped with an evaporative emissions system is described. The engine is configured to perform automatically an engine stop and an engine restart when the vehicle stops moving to increase fuel economy of the vehicle. The method includes the steps of determining if an engine stop is allowed while a diagnostic test of the of the evaporative emissions system is being performed if an engine stop is requested, and preventing the engine stop if the engine stop is not allowed. | 08-21-2014 |
20140233138 | GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER - A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) includes a sense coil to determine a current flow in a power circuit coupled between a power source and a load. The GFCI also includes a switching device configured to disconnect the power source from the load. The GFCI further includes a controller that controls the switching device based on the current flow in the power circuit. The GFCI additionally includes an electrical power supply that provides electrical power to the switching device. The power supply is electrically separate and isolated from the power circuit. The GFCI may be used to monitor a power circuit connected to a tuned resonant circuit, such as a source or capture resonator of a wireless power transfer system, since inductive elements in the switching device, such as solenoids, are isolated from the power circuit and therefore cannot unbalance a tuned resonant circuit connected to the power circuit. | 08-21-2014 |
20140218487 | VARIABLE DISPARITY THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A variable disparity three-dimensional (3D) display system and method of processing a variable disparity three-dimensional (3D) image shown on a display to reduce motion sickness of a person viewing the display. The system includes a motion detector configured to determine a motion value that characterizes motion of a display, and an image processor configured to adjust incrementally a disparity amount of a 3D image shown by the display based on the motion value in order to reduce motion sickness of a person viewing the display. The method includes determining a motion value that characterizes motion of a display, and adjusting a disparity amount of a 3D image shown by the display incrementally based on the motion value in order to reduce motion sickness of a person viewing the display. | 08-07-2014 |
20140212272 | FLUID PUMP - A fluid pump includes an inlet for introducing fluid into the fluid pump and an outlet for discharging fluid from the fluid pump. The fluid pump also includes a motor having a shaft that rotates about an axis. An impeller includes an array of blades radially surrounding the axis. The impeller is rotatable by the shaft of the motor such that rotation of the impeller pumps fluid from the inlet to the outlet. A vibration isolation member applies a force on the shaft such that the force has a component that is perpendicular to the axis. | 07-31-2014 |
20140211379 | TWO SIDED ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER - An electrical distribution center, bussed electrical center, or power distribution box includes a housing containing a plurality of electronic devices including a plurality of removable electronic devices. The housing further defines a plurality of openings on opposite side of the housing so that the removable electronic devices are accessible through at least one of the openings. The housing receivably couples at least one wire cable that is in electrical communication with the removable electronic devices. When the wire cable is coupled to the housing, the removable electronic device is accessed through one of the openings while the coupled wire cable remains attached to the housing. A relay and fuse electronic circuit arrangement and a fuse electronic circuit arrangement each effectively utilize the allotted packaging space within the housing while also conserving the use of circuit board traces. | 07-31-2014 |
20140206220 | CONNECTION SYSTEM INCLUDING CONNECTOR BODY WITH INTEGRAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LOCK - A connector system including a first connector having a longitudinally extending lock arm defining a lock nib and attached to the first connector. The lock nib is configured to engage a primary lock tab of a second connector when the first and second connectors are in a fully mated position and the lock arm is in a resting position. The lock nib is configured to disengage the primary lock tab and engage a secondary lock tab of the second connector when the lock arm is moved from a resting to an activated position and the first and second connectors are moved to a partially mated position while the lock arm is in the activated position. The connector system generates an audible or tactile click only when the first connector is fully mated with the second connector. The connectors can be disconnected with bare hands, no tools are required. | 07-24-2014 |
20140203629 | FOREIGN OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD SUITABLE FOR SOURCE RESONATOR OF WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER SYSTEM - A system and method to detect a foreign object proximate to a source resonator that is part of a wireless energy transfer system. The wireless energy transfer system may be one used to wirelessly charge the batteries of an electric vehicle. Data from a visible light camera and a multiple zone temperature sensor are combined or fused to determine whether a foreign object, such a metallic object or an animal, is in the vicinity of, or in close proximity to, a source resonator. The system controls an electric current provided to the source resonator based on whether a foreign object is detected to reduce or inhibit energy emitted by the source resonator. The visible light camera may be a monochrome or color camera and the temperature sensor may be an infrared camera or a thermopile array. | 07-24-2014 |
20140199941 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING GROUND TRANSCEIVER COMMUNICATIONS WITH A SATELLITE TRANSCEIVER - A system and method of controlling communication between a satellite transceiver and a ground transceiver, where the satellite transceiver is configured to receive concurrently a plurality of messages at substantially the same carrier frequency from a plurality of ground transceivers. The satellite transceiver transmits a time reference signal. The ground transceiver receives the time reference signal, and determines a transmit time that the ground transceiver is authorized to transmit a message based on an identification number of the ground transceiver. | 07-17-2014 |
20140199940 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING GROUND TRANSCEIVER COMMUNICATIONS WITH A SATELLITE TRANSCEIVER - A system and method of controlling communication between a satellite transceiver and a ground transceiver, where the satellite transceiver is configured to receive concurrently a plurality of messages at substantially the same carrier frequency from a plurality of ground transceivers. The satellite transceiver transmits a priority threshold indicative of a transmit power that a ground transceiver is authorized to use to transmit a message. The ground transceiver receives the priority threshold transmitted by the ground transceiver, and determines a transmit power of the transmitter to transmit a message based on a comparison of the priority threshold and a priority rating of the message. | 07-17-2014 |
20140199939 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING GROUND TRANSCEIVER COMMUNICATIONS WITH A SATELLITE TRANSCEIVER - A system and method of controlling communication between a satellite transceiver and a ground transceiver, where the satellite transceiver is configured to receive concurrently a plurality of messages at substantially the same carrier frequency from a plurality of ground transceivers. The satellite transceiver transmits a priority threshold indicative of a priority rating of a message that authorizes the ground transceiver to transmit the message to the satellite transceiver. The ground transceiver receives the priority threshold transmitted by the ground transceiver, and determines if the message is authorized to be transmitted based on a comparison of the priority threshold and the priority rating of the message to be transmitted. | 07-17-2014 |
20140199891 | ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER ASSEMBLY HAVING A TERMINAL STABILIZER PLATE - An electrical distribution center assembly having a connector including a plurality of terminals and a terminal stabilizer plate engaging the tips of the terminals to hold the terminals in position and resist bending prior to inserting a mating connector into the electrical distribution center assembly. The terminal stabilizer plate is held in a ready position by a releasable latch means until an axial force applied to the releasable latch means by the mating connector body exceeds a force threshold, whereby the terminal stabilizer plate is released from the ready position and is moved to a seated position. The releasable latch means may include a flexible beam or other resilient member to hold the terminal stabilizer plate in the ready position until it is released. | 07-17-2014 |
20140199887 | TERMINATION ARRANGEMENT FOR A CABLE BUNDLE - A termination arrangement for a cable bundle includes a body with a cable cavity extending therethrough with the plurality of cables extending into the cable cavity. The body includes a cable attachment end through which the cable bundle enters the cable cavity. The cable attachment end includes an annular-shaped sealing recess radially surrounding a portion of the cable cavity. The sealing recess has an inner wall, an outer wall radially surrounding the inner wall, and a bottom wall joining the inner wall and the outer wall. An electromagnetic shield radially surrounds the cable bundle outside of the cavity and extends into the sealing recess. An insulation tubing radially surrounds the electromagnetic shield and the cable bundle outside of the cable cavity and extends into the sealing recess. A collar secured to the cable attachment end retains the electromagnetic shield and the insulation tubing within the sealing recess. | 07-17-2014 |
20140198717 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING GROUND TRANSCEIVER COMMUNICATIONS WITH A SATELLITE TRANSCEIVER - A system and method of controlling communication between a satellite transceiver and a ground transceiver, where the satellite transceiver is configured to receive concurrently a plurality of messages at substantially the same carrier frequency from a plurality of ground transceivers. The satellite transceiver transmits a ranking threshold indicative of a transceiver ranking of a ground transceiver that authorizes the ground transceiver to transmit a message to the satellite transceiver. The ground transceiver receives the ranking threshold transmitted by the ground transceiver, and determines if the ground transceiver is authorized to transmit a message based on a comparison of the ranking threshold and a transceiver ranking of the ground transceiver. | 07-17-2014 |
20140196526 | DIAGNOSTIC METHOD FOR A REFUELING EVENT DETECTION SYSTEM - A method for diagnosing the performance of a refueling event detection system for a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of a) determining a fuel change amount based on a difference of an indicated fuel amount and a previously indicated fuel amount, b) determining a consumed amount of fuel consumed by the engine since a prior refueling event was detected, and c) diagnosing the performance of the refueling event detection system based on the consumed amount and the fuel change amount. | 07-17-2014 |
20140190246 | METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING COMPONENT FAILURE IN A SADDLE-TYPE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY - A method for diagnosing a component failure in a saddle-type fuel tank assembly is provided. The method includes a) updating a maximum amount to a subsequent amount of fuel if the subsequent amount of fuel is greater than the maximum amount, b) updating a minimum amount to the subsequent amount of fuel if the subsequent amount of fuel is less than the minimum amount, c) determining a fuel consumption amount, and d) determining that one or more of a first fuel level sender and a second fuel level sender have failed if the difference between the maximum amount and minimum amount is less than a first threshold, and the fuel consumption amount is greater than a second threshold. | 07-10-2014 |
20140177393 | ULTRASOUND INTERIOR SPACE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An ultrasound interior space monitoring system for a motor vehicle includes at least one ultrasound transmitter and at least one ultrasound receiver that can be attached in the interior space of the motor vehicle and are configured for the contactless monitoring of the interior space. The system is operable in an operating mode which is active when a monitoring mode in which the monitoring of the interior takes place is inactive, wherein a position, a movement speed and/or a movement direction of an object, in particular of a hand of a vehicle occupant, can be determined and at least one fitting element of the vehicle can be actuated in dependence on the position, on the movement speed and/or on the movement direction by means of the at least one ultrasound transmitter and by means of the at least one ultrasound receiver in the operating mode. | 06-26-2014 |
20140170529 | METAL COMPOSITE MATERIAL FOR ATTACHMENT TO CERAMIC - A sintered solid composite material is disclosed that includes a metal and a calcium alumina compound. The metal can be a noble metal. This composite material can bond to a ceramic material, and an article is disclosed that includes a first ceramic layer bonded to a second layer of the composite material of metal and calcium alumina compound. The ceramic can be a mixed ionic and electronic conductor (MEIC), and/or have a perovskite crystal structure, and/or be a mixed oxide comprising lanthanum, strontium, cobalt, iron and oxygen. The article can be used as an electrode such as a cathode of a solid oxide fuel cell. | 06-19-2014 |
20140170513 | ANODE PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR SHUTDOWN OF SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - An Anode Protection Systems for a SOFC system, having a Reductant Supply and safety subsystem, a SOFC anode protection subsystem, and a Post Combustion and slip stream control subsystem. The Reductant Supply and safety subsystem includes means for generating a reducing gas or vapor to prevent re-oxidation of the Ni in the anode layer during the course of shut down of the SOFC stack. The underlying ammonia or hydrogen based material used to generate a reducing gas or vapor to prevent the re-oxidation of the Ni can be in either a solid or liquid stored inside a portable container. The SOFC anode protection subsystem provides an internal pressure of 0.2 to 10 kPa to prevent air from entering into the SOFC system. The Post Combustion and slip stream control subsystem provides a catalyst converter configured to treat any residual reducing gas in the slip stream gas exiting from SOFC stack. | 06-19-2014 |
20140170038 | FUEL REFORMER WITH THERMAL MANAGEMENT - A fuel reformer includes a feedstream delivery unit and a catalytic reactor. The feedstream delivery unit is configured to receive reactants and to provide the reactants to the catalytic reactor. The reformer further includes a flame arrestor disposed between the feedstream delivery unit and the catalytic reactor, and at least one spacer disposed between the feedstream delivery unit and the catalytic reactor, wherein the spacer is configured to allow the reactants to flow therethrough while inhibiting thermal radiation therethrough. In a further aspect, the surfaces of the feedstream delivery unit that come into contact with the reactants in use include coatings that eliminate catalytic reactions of the feedstream within the feedstream delivery unit. | 06-19-2014 |
20140170007 | Scroll Compressor Assembly Having Oil Distribution and Support Feature - A horizontal scroll compressor assembly for compressing a working fluid and lubricated with an oil, including a housing having an axis, an interior surface, and a suction sump for collected oil located in the suction plenum, and a compression mechanism including an orbital scroll member having a thrust surface, the thrust surface and the housing interior surface axially superposed. The thrust surface is provided with an oil distribution channel extending at least partially about an axis. Oil from the suction sump received into the distribution channel urged along the distribution channel and delivered to locations between the superposed surfaces during movement of the orbital scroll member about the axis relative to the housing. Also, a method for distributing oil in a scroll compressor assembly including: receiving oil from a suction sump into an oil distribution channel located in the thrust surface of an orbital scroll member; pumping oil along the oil distribution channel to locations between the thrust surface and a superposed housing surface; and lubricating a thrust surface interface with oil pumped to locations between the thrust surface and the superposed housing surface. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168377 | STEREOSCOPIC CAMERA OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ALIGNING THE SAME - A system, controller, and method for aligning a stereo camera of a vehicle mounted object detection system that includes a first camera and a second camera mounted spaced apart on a vehicle. An image from each camera at two different times is used to determine an observed displacement of an object relative to the vehicle. A predicted displacement of the object relative to the vehicle is also determined using either a difference of vehicle position measured based on other vehicle measurements or GPS, or a difference of size of the object in images taken at the two different times. Alignment is provided by determining a triangulation correction based on a difference of the observed displacement and the predicted displacement to correct for misalignment of the cameras. | 06-19-2014 |
20140166941 | MATERIAL FOR SOLID STATE SINTERED MATERIAL - A solid state sintered material is described that includes a mixed oxide of lanthanum, strontium, cobalt, iron and oxygen, and CaCO | 06-19-2014 |
20140166256 | Sub-Cooled Condenser Having a Receiver Tank with a Refrigerant Diverter for Improved Filling Efficiency - A sub-cooled condenser for an air conditioning system, having a condenser portion, a sub-cooler portion located below that of the condenser portion, an adjacent receiver tank having a first fluid port in hydraulic connection with the condenser portion and a second fluid port in hydraulic connection with the sub-cooler portion, and a refrigerant diverter assembly disposed in the receiver tank. The refrigerant diverter assembly is configured to divert a refrigerant from the first fluid port to a location beneath the surface level of a refrigerant retained within the receiver tank without impacting the surface level. The refrigerant diverter assembly includes a refrigerant port in hydraulic connection with the first fluid port, axial and annular refrigerant passageways, and a refrigerant conduit having an inlet end in hydraulic communication with the annular passageway and a second fluid port beneath the surface level (S) of the liquid phase refrigerant. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165978 | IGNITION COIL - An ignition coil for an internal combustion engine includes a magnetically-permeable core a primary winding disposed outward of the core, and a secondary winding disposed outward of the primary winding and inductively coupled to the primary winding. The secondary winding has a left secondary winding section and right secondary winding section. A first end of the left secondary winding section is in electrical contact with a first terminal for delivering a first spark-generating current to a first spark plug. A first end of the right secondary winding section is in electrical contact with a second terminal for delivering a second spark-generating current to a second spark plug. A second end of the first secondary winding and a second end of a the second secondary winding is connected to a third terminal for delivering a third spark-generating current to a third spark plug. | 06-19-2014 |
20140160697 | ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER - An electrical distribution center includes an upper housing, a circuit board disposed in the upper housing, and a lower housing having a plurality of lower terminal receiving cavities and a plurality of alignment cavities. A plurality of terminals is mounted on the circuit board such that each terminal is in electrical communication with a respective electrically conductive member. The terminals have contact portions below the circuit board and disposed in the lower terminal receiving cavities such that each of the terminals extends from the circuit board no more than a first predetermined distance. A plurality of alignment posts are fixed to the circuit board and received within the alignment cavities such that each of the alignment posts extends from the circuit board at least a second predetermined distance which is greater than the first predetermined distance. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159942 | PARTIAL COVERING RADOME FOR A RADAR UNIT - A sensor assembly that integrates a camera and a radar sensor is described herein. The sensor assembly includes a housing configured to partially enclose the camera and the radar sensor, and define a partial radome that partially intrudes into the radar beam. The partial radome is configured such that after passing through the partial radome a first phase angle of the first portion of the radar beam differs from a second phase angle of the second portion of the radar beam by an amount substantially corresponding to an integer number of three hundred sixty degrees (360°) of phase angle shift. The partial radome provides glare shield to the camera, protection to assembly, and is configured to minimally effect radar performance. | 06-12-2014 |
20140158094 | CARBON HEATING ELEMENT FOR EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CANISTER - An evaporative emissions control system for reducing the amount of fuel vapor emitted from a vehicle includes a canister containing a sorbent material and a cartridge heater disposed at least partially within the canister in direct contact with the sorbent material. Electrical terminals for applying power to a heating element within the heater are disposed external to the canister. At least one heat sink may be included within the canister in direct contact with the heater. A method of manufacturing an evaporative emission control system that includes a cartridge heater disposed in a canister is also presented. | 06-12-2014 |
20140157868 | WIRE RETENTION CLIP - A wire retention clip includes a first compartment for allowing at least a first wire to pass through the compartment uninterrupted and for retaining the at least one wire to the wire retention clip. The wire retention clip also includes a second compartment that is distinct from the first compartment and contains and electronic device. | 06-12-2014 |
20140154910 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - An electrical connector assembly for mating with a mating connector includes a housing having spaced apart sidewalls and first and second slides slide slideably supported in the housing. The first and second slides each include at least one mating slot adapted to receive a mating portion of the mating connector and slideable with respect to the housing between a pre-staged position where the electrical connector is removable from the mating connector and an engaged position where said electrical connector assembly is locked to said mating connector. A slide assist lever is pivotally interconnected with the housing and each of the slides to move the slides between the pre-staged position and the engaged position such that recesses are formed in the housing with the slides when said slides are in the engaged position. The electrical connector assembly also includes an environmental cover positionable to substantially prevent debris from entering the recesses. | 06-05-2014 |
20140151864 | ATOMIC LEVEL BONDING FOR ELECTRONICS PACKAGING - An electronic device assembly that includes a die and a substrate, and optionally a lead frame and a heat spreader. The die is characterized as an electronic device in die form, and has a polished die region. The substrate has a polished substrate region in direct contact with the polished die region. The polished die region and the polished substrate region have surface finishes effective to attach the die to the substrate by way of an atomic bond. The lead-frame has a polished lead-frame region, and the heat spreader has a polished heat spreader region. These polished regions may also be attached to the polished die region or the polished substrate region by way of an atomic bond. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150751 | FUEL INJECTOR CONTROL SYSTEM AND COMPONENT FOR PIECEWISE INJECTOR SIGNAL GENERATION - A system and component for generating a drive signal suitable to operate a fuel injector. The drive signal includes one or more injector pulses. Each injector pulse is characterized by a desired pulse profile. The system includes an injector driver and a controller. The injector driver is operable to apply a supply voltage to the fuel injector. The controller is configured to store a plurality of state definitions that determine an operation state of the injector driver when a selected definition of the plurality of state definitions is communicated to the injector driver. The controller is further configured to receive a sequence of state values that determine an order that the state definitions are communicated to the injector driver to generate piecewise an injector pulse exhibiting the pulse profile, and thereby generate the drive signal. | 06-05-2014 |
20140147087 | CONTOURED DISPLAY - A contoured display that includes a faceplate configured to propagate an image in a collimated manner from an interface surface of the faceplate configured to receive the image from a display device to a display surface of the faceplate. The display surface is contoured to provide a three-dimensional (3D) contoured surface that provides designers with artistic freedom when designing a display shape, and a convenient way to contour a display surface to reduce the effects of glare on the display surface. | 05-29-2014 |
20140146921 | RECEIVER FOR RECOVERING UNIVERSAL SERVICES IN A SPOT BEAM SATELLITE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A terrestrial receiver recovers universal services in a satellite radio transmission system including discrete signal sources producing overlapping spot beam loci within a coverage area, wherein the signals forming the beams each contain repeating time aligned universal services having a master synchronizing frame, at least one common channel, and at least one spot specific channel with differing frequency and/or polarization. The receiver switches among antenna elements. A portion of antenna elements receive a transmitted signal, including a plurality of sub-channels that are transmitted in predetermined time intervals. A switching device switches among single antenna elements to receive the transmitted signal. A controller commands the switching device to select each of the antenna elements separately in predetermined periods of time based upon the predetermined time intervals of each of the master synchronizing frames. A power level of the transmitted signal is determined during the predetermined time intervals. | 05-29-2014 |
20140146482 | LIGHTWEIGHT AUDIO SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS AND METHOD - A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. | 05-29-2014 |
20140145839 | RECONFIGURABLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ASSEMBLY WITH A MECHANICAL POINTER OVERLYING A MIRROR - An instrument cluster assembly suitable for installation into a vehicle to display information to an operator of the vehicle. The assembly includes a reconfigurable display, a mirror, and a pointer. The reconfigurable display is configured to display an image. The mirror is oriented to reflect the image toward the operator. The pointer is movably overlying the minor such that the pointer is effective to indicate a feature of the image to the operator. The pointer may be mounted on a rotatable shaft passing through a hole in the minor such that rotation of the shaft is effective to orient the pointer. | 05-29-2014 |
20140144369 | RECONFIGURABLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ASSEMBLY WITH A MECHANICAL POINTER - An instrument cluster assembly suitable for installation into a vehicle to display information to an operator of the vehicle. The assembly includes a reconfigurable display, a substrate, and a pointer. The reconfigurable display is configured to display an image. The substrate is movably supported over at least a portion of the display. The substrate is formed of material characterized as sufficiently transparency to see the image through the substrate. The pointer is fixedly coupled to the substrate such that movement of the substrate is effective to orient the pointer to indicate a feature of the image to the operator. | 05-29-2014 |
20140141287 | BATTERY PACK AND BATTERY CONTROL MODULE - A battery pack containing a plurality of battery cells having a housing and defining an opening within the housing and a battery control module configured to be disposed within the opening of the battery pack. The battery control module may contain circuitry for controlling a connection between the battery pack and an electric load or electric source and for controlling the charging of the battery cells. The circuitry within the battery control module is connected by rigid conductors, such as conductive traces on a circuit board or bus bars rather than flexible wire cables. The battery control module may be configured to be removed for serving the battery pack without removing the battery pack housing. The battery pack may further include a battery voltage monitor configured to monitor a terminal voltage of each battery cell and send a digital signal representing the voltage to the battery control module. | 05-22-2014 |
20140132208 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ALIGN A SOURCE RESONATOR AND A CAPTURE RESONATOR FOR WIRELESS ELECTRICAL POWER TRANSFER - A system and a method to provide alignment between a source resonator and a capture resonator. The system and method may be used to align a vehicle having a capture resonator to the source resonator of a wireless inductive battery charging system for an electric vehicle. The system includes a display device, a sensor to determine a location of the source resonator relative to the capture resonator, and a controller in communication with the source resonator, the capture resonator, the sensor, and the display device. The controller is programmed to determine a relative distance and a relative direction between the source resonator and the capture resonator, determine a transfer efficiency of electrical power between the source resonator and the capture resonator. The display device is configured to indicate the relative distance and the relative direction between the source resonator and the capture resonator and indicate the transfer efficiency. | 05-15-2014 |
20140132207 | ALIGNMENT SYSTEM FOR WIRELESS ELECTRICAL POWER TRANSFER - A system to provide alignment between a source resonator and a capture resonator. The source resonator is configured to emit a magnetic charging signal or a magnetic beacon signal. The source resonator is coupled to an electrical power source that provides current to the source resonator. The source resonator emits the charging signal when the current exceeds a first threshold and emits the beacon signal when the current is below a second threshold. The capture resonator is configured to receive the charging signal and provide electrical power based on the charging signal. The system also includes a magnetic sensor configured to receive the beacon signal and provide a location signal indicative of a relative location between the transmit and capture resonators to a controller that provides an alignment signal indicative of a movement required to align the source resonator and the capture resonator. | 05-15-2014 |
20140126177 | CONTROL PANEL INCLUDING A RESISTIVE-TYPE BACKLIT KEY - A control panel including a cover which is provided with at least one tactile pressure detection zone forming a control button, in which a force sensor is arranged between the cover and a support, behind the detection zone, in which a spacer made of elastically compressible material is mounted between the force sensor and the cover so as to take up the mechanical plays between the force sensor and the cover, characterized by the fact that the spacer is at least partially translucent and by the fact that the control panel includes at least one main light source and a light collector which permits injection of the light produced by the said main light source into the thickness of the spacer so that the spacer produces a backlighting beam directed towards a zone to be illuminated of the detection zone. | 05-08-2014 |
20140125304 | SWITCHING REGULATOR - The present invention relates to a switching regulator comprising a detection unit, an output energy store from which an output current can be taken, and a power switch configured to charge the output energy store. The switching regulator is characterized in that the detection unit determines the output current based on the switching signal applied to the power switch. | 05-08-2014 |
20140123920 | CAMSHAFT PHASER WITH CENTRALLY LOCATED LOCK PIN VALVE SPOOL - A camshaft phaser includes a stator having lobes and a rotor disposed within the stator having vanes interspersed with the lobes. A lock pin disposed within one of the rotor and the stator selectively engages a seat for preventing relative rotation between the rotor and the stator when the lock pin is engaged with the seat. A bolt extends coaxially through the rotor and the stator to attach the camshaft phaser to a camshaft. A valve spool in the bolt controls the flow of oil to and from the lock pin. The bolt includes a supply drilling extending therethrough to supply pressurized oil to the valve spool. | 05-08-2014 |
20140120828 | BROADCAST RECEIVER AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME TO AVOID MUTING CAUSED BY MEMORY REALLOCATION - A hybrid broadcast receiver and method of operating a memory in the receiver. The memory is used to store received data being processed in the receiver. The receiver is configured to receive both a terrestrial signal broadcast by a terrestrial transmitter and a satellite signal broadcast by a satellite transmitter. Terrestrial data from the terrestrial signal is stored in a terrestrial portion of the memory that includes a top end or first location of the memory. Satellite data from the satellite signal is stored in a satellite portion of the memory that includes a bottom end or last location of the memory. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119824 | HVAC CASE HAVING EQUALIZED SEALING FORCE TONGUE AND GROOVE JOINT - A case includes a first case section and a second case section defining an interior. The first case section includes a groove extending along the first case section. The second case section includes a tongue extending along the second case section into the groove. The groove includes a groove inner wall proximal to the interior of the case and a groove outer wall distal from the interior of the case. The tongue extends from a tongue base end to a tongue free end and includes a tongue inner wall proximal to the interior of the case and a tongue outer wall distal from the interior of the case. The tongue free end is in contact with the groove inner wall and spaced apart from the groove outer wall and the tongue base end is in contact with the groove outer wall and spaced apart from the groove inner wall. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118179 | RADAR SENSOR MODULE - A sensor module configured to be located behind a window of a vehicle to detect an object through the window and about the vehicle. The module includes a radar unit with an antenna and a controller. The antenna emits and/or receives a radar signal through the window with a selected or preferred polarization. The polarization determines a preferred angle of propagation of the radar signal through the window based on reflection characteristics of the window that vary with impingement angle and transmitted polarization. By varying the transmitted polarization vs. beam direction when a directional antenna is used, the signal propagating through the windshield can be maximized to enhance object detection over a range of signal directions. Also, by varying the transmitted polarization when an omnidirectional type antenna is used, the object can be ‘illuminated’ with variable intensity and detected with variable sensitivity. | 05-01-2014 |
20140108704 | DATA DECOMPRESSION METHOD FOR A CONTROLLER EQUIPPED WITH LIMITED RAM - A method of operating a controller to decompress a compressed data file stored on a host computer, and store the resulting uncompressed data in a flash memory. The processor loads compressed data into random access memory (RAM) until a predetermined amount of compressed data is present in the RAM. The controller then decompresses compressed data retrieved from the RAM until a decompressed amount of decompressed data equals a block size corresponding to a minimum modulus size of the flash memory, where the minimum size block of data that can be written to the flash memory because of the design of the flash memory. The controller then transfers the block of decompressed data to the flash memory. These steps are repeated in a coordinated fashion until the entire compressed data file has been downloaded from the host computer, decompressed by the controller, and stored in the flash memory. | 04-17-2014 |
20140106783 | IN-VEHICLE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PROGRAM SOURCE DATA TO A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An in-vehicle entertainment system that includes a receiver and a server. The receiver receives one or more data streams from one or more broadcasters. The server communicates with the receiver and a portable electronic device (PED) proximate to the vehicle. The PED is operable to select a program source for playback on the PED from the one or more data streams provided by the receiver. The server includes memory to store program content. The PED is also operable to select a program source for playback on the PED from the program content stored by the memory. | 04-17-2014 |
20140098512 | LIGHTWEIGHT ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS AND METHOD - A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The major components and subassemblies self-ground by establishing an interference fit with exposed, resilient, embossed portions of wire mesh. | 04-10-2014 |
20140096945 | HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM FOR OCCUPANTS OF THE REAR PORTION OF A VEHICLE - A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system configured for use in a vehicle to provide a perceived comfortable thermal environment to an occupant seated in a rear portion of a vehicle cabin. A heat exchanger provides a first airstream characterized as having a first temperature to an air moving device configured to generate a second airstream characterized as having a second temperature. The second airstream comprises a mixture of the first airstream and cabin air drawn from the rear portion of the vehicle cabin. The air moving device may be disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle. The HVAC system further includes a nozzle that may be configured to direct the second airstream toward an occupant in the rear portion of the vehicle cabin to provide spot conditioning. | 04-10-2014 |
20140093413 | COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY HAVING OIL SEPARATION FEATURE - A compressor assembly for compressing a working fluid and lubricated with an oil, including a housing having a suction plenum and a discharge plenum that defines a discharge chamber and an exhaust chamber in fluid communication through a discharge chamber outlet, and a compression mechanism disposed in the housing. A baffle member proximate the discharge chamber outlet and against which a compressed admixture of working fluid and oil expelled from the discharge chamber is impactable for separating oil from the impacting admixture. The baffle member has an oil-impingement surface for collecting oil separated from the impacting admixture and directing the flow of oil separated from the impacting admixture. Working fluid substantially at a discharge pressure and devoid of the oil collected on the oil-impingement surface is exhaustable from the exhaust chamber through the discharge port. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092481 | HEAD-UP DISPLAY SYSTEM WITH DYNAMIC IMAGE FIELD AND BRIGHTNESS CONTROL - A head-up display system having a diffusing image plane or diffuser. The light output of a relatively small image source is imaged on the diffuser by way of imaging optics. A mirror is used to image light from the diffuser onto a windshield and correct for distortion caused by the windshield. The diffuser is advantageously used when a large field-of-view is desired, or sun load characteristics need to be addressed. The diffuser may be flat or curved in order to optimize the system for different applications. The magnification of the mirror may be made relatively low, and the solar emergency density that is made incident on the image source is reduced, providing for a low cost, high performance, color head-up display system. A drive mechanism allows selective operator controlled repositioning of the image source and imaging optics with respect to diffuser to vary image size, position and/or intensity. | 04-03-2014 |
20140091969 | RADOME FOR A RADAR SENSOR ASSEMBLY - A radome for a radar sensor that includes a first and second section. Each section is formed of layers that have an electrical thickness substantially equal to an integer multiple of a guided half-wavelengths of the radar beam. Each of the sections are configured such that, at a location spaced apart from the radome, a first phase angle of the first portion of the radar beam differs from a second phase angle of the second portion of the radar beam by an amount substantially corresponding to an integer number of three hundred sixty degrees (360°) of phase angle shift. | 04-03-2014 |
20140080438 | IN-VEHICLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION - An in-vehicle communication system configured to receive signals from a transmitter configured to transmit periodically a time-reference signal and receiver specific information. An information transmission time of receiver specific information is timed relative to a reference transmission time of the time-reference signal. The system includes a receiver characterized as having a receiver identification value. The receiver is configured to operate from an off-state to an on-state during an information-expected time interval to receive receiver specific information. The information-expected time interval is determined based on a reception time of the time-reference signal and the receiver identification value. This provides a way to ensure that the transmitter only transmits messages when it knows the intended receiver is on. It also ensures that the receiver is on only when messages that for that receiver are expected to be received. | 03-20-2014 |
20140077930 | REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY TRANSMITTER WITH REPEATING TRANSMISSION OF A MESSAGE - A remote keyless entry (RKE) system for a vehicle. The system includes a RKE receiver configured to be installed on a vehicle, and a nomadic device equipped with an RKE transmitter configured to transmit autonomously a RKE message repetitiously in response to an initiation command. The nomadic device is able to be pre-armed the nomadic device while outside of the communication range of the vehicle to transmit periodically, repeatedly, or continuously the RKE message. Then, an operator can put the nomadic device in a pocket and proceed to within the communication range and, for example, have the trunk open without having to manually operate the nomadic device while within the communication range. | 03-20-2014 |
20140074465 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO GENERATE A NARRATOR SPECIFIC ACOUSTIC DATABASE WITHOUT A PREDEFINED SCRIPT - A system and method for generating an acoustic database for a particular narrator that does not require said narrator to recite a pre-defined script. The system and method generate an acoustic database by using voice recognition or speech-to-text algorithms to automatically generate a text script of a voice message while simultaneously or near-simultaneously sampling the voice message to create the acoustic database. The acoustic database may be associated with the narrator of the voice message by an identifier, such as a telephone number. The acoustic database may then be used by a text-to-speech processor to read a text message when the narrator is identified as the sender of the text massage, providing an audio output of the contents of the text message with a simulation of the sender's voice. The user of the system may be provided an audio message that sounds like the originator of the text message. | 03-13-2014 |
20140072425 | MULTI-CHANNEL FUEL PUMP - A fluid pump includes an outlet for discharging fluid from the fluid pump, a housing, and a motor with a shaft that rotates about an axis. The fluid pump also includes an impeller having a first array of blades radially surrounding the axis and a second array of blades radially surrounding the first array of blades. The fluid pump also includes an inlet plate adjacent to the impeller and has an inlet for introducing fluid into the fluid pump, a first inlet plate flow channel aligned with the first array of blades and having a first inlet plate flow channel cross-sectional area, and a second inlet plate flow channel aligned with the second array of blades and having a second inlet plate flow channel cross-sectional area. The second inlet plate flow channel cross-sectional area is synchronized with the first inlet plate flow channel cross-sectional area. | 03-13-2014 |
20140068596 | VEHICLE SOFTWARE UPDATE VIA VEHICLE ENTERTAINMENT UNIT - A vehicle software update system for updating software in vehicle modules coupled to a vehicle communication network. Software updates are processed through an entertainment unit (e.g. vehicle radio) configured to be coupled to the vehicle communication network. The entertainment unit is equipped with a software input means configured to receive a software update for a vehicle module, and transfer the software update to the vehicle module via the vehicle communication network. Software updates may be provided to the entertainment unit using a USB memory device plugged into a USB port in the entertainment unit, or communicated wireless via a WI-FI® or BLUETOOTH® transceiver. | 03-06-2014 |
20140053402 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY - A method is provided for assembling a connector assembly to a case. The case includes an inside surface defining an inside of the case, an outside surface defining an outside of the case, and an aperture therethrough providing communication from the inside surface to the outside surface. The connector assembly includes an outer connector having a body with a passage therethrough, an electromagnetic shield, and an inner connector with a terminal therein with a conductor extending from the inner connector in electrical communication with the terminal. The method includes positioning the outer connector on the outside of the case to align the passage of the outer connector with the aperture of the case. The method also includes positioning the inner connector on the inside of the case. The method also includes inserting the inner connector into the passage of the outer connector from the inside of the case. | 02-27-2014 |
20140050944 | FUSED COVER ASSEMBLY FOR BATTERY SYSTEM - A fused cover assembly for a battery system. The fused cover assembly includes an attachment means configured to attach the assembly to a battery formed of a plurality interconnected cells, and a plurality of fused connections configured to make electrical contact with the interconnected cells and thereby provide a sense connection to the cells of the battery that is fused. If the sense connection to the battery cells is short-circuited, a fuse device open-circuits to protect the cell from being damaged. | 02-20-2014 |
20140049272 | DUAL ELECTRODE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A dual-electrode occupant detection system configured to determine an occupant presence on a seat assembly. The system includes two electrodes that each generates an electric field in response to an applied excitation signal. The two electrode signals arising therefrom can be measured individually and/or combined to detect more reliably an occupant. Such a configuration advantageously avoids the added expense and complication of an electrode arrangement that relies on an underlying shield layer to reduce electrode signal degradation caused by a seat heater element. | 02-20-2014 |
20140043047 | OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - An occupant detection system and method that uses an isolation assembly to isolate electrically a power supply providing power to a heater element for heating a vehicle seat from a sensing circuit that uses the heater element as an electrode for electric field or capacitance type occupant detection. The isolation assembly includes a common mode choke that by itself provides sufficient isolation when the sensing circuit excitation signal frequency is high enough, and provides switches that infrequently interrupt electrical power to the heater element so a humidity level can be determined using a relatively low excitation signal frequency. Knowing the humidity level is desirable to adjust a threshold use to determine if the sensing circuit indicates that the seat is empty, or is occupied. | 02-13-2014 |
20140036075 | WINDSHIELD DISPLAY SYSTEM - A windshield display system that includes a light source such as a laser configured to project light from a plurality of source locations onto a desired location of a windshield. The number of source locations and relative spacing apart of the source locations is such that light emitted from the source locations and reflected into an eye of an operator is characterized as having a reflected light power less than a reflected power threshold. | 02-06-2014 |
20140034806 | WINDSHIELD DISPLAY WITH OBSTRUCTION DETECTION - A windshield display system and method of operating the same configured to detect an obstruction of light projected by the system. A light source emits a light beam that reflects off a scanning mirror to direct the light beam to a desired on a windshield. The system includes a light detector configured to detect emitted light generated in response to the light beam illuminating the desired location. The system is arranged so the light beam and the emitted light that is detected travel essentially the same light path between the scanning mirror and the windshield. As such, an obstruction of the light path is readily detected based only on the intensity of the emitted light detected by the light detector. | 02-06-2014 |
20140030556 | CIRCUIT BOARD TO CIRCUIT BOARD CONNECTOR WITH VERTICAL AND LONGITUDINAL ASSEMBLY ALIGNMENT FEATURES - An electrical connector assembly and a battery pack system utilizing the electrical connector assembly are described. The electrical connector assembly includes a first connector body defining a first locating pin and a second connector body defining a first location socket. The first connector body may also define a second locating socket and the second connector body may define a second locating pin having the same shape as the first locating pin and first locating socket. The electrical connection between the first and second connector bodies is established by a conductor connected between the terminals. The locating pins and locating sockets provide lateral location of the terminals relative to each other. The terminals or the conductor may define a U-shaped portion that provides longitudinal and vertical assembly tolerance of the terminals in the first connector body relative to the terminals in the second connector body. | 01-30-2014 |
20140025280 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DETERMINE RESTRICTION OF INDIVIDUAL EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION RUNNERS - An engine control system and method for determining if an exhaust gas recirculation EGR runner between an EGR valve and a cylinder inlet is obstructed using a single exhaust gas sensor and individual cylinder fuel control (ICFC). A controller determines an off-state value based on an off-state air/fuel combustion ratio of a particular cylinder indicated by the single exhaust gas sensor while the EGR valve is operated to the off-state and while the engine is operating at a first speed-load condition, and determines an on-state value based on an on-state air/fuel combustion ratio of the particular cylinder indicated by the single exhaust gas sensor while the EGR valve is operated to the on-state and while the engine is operating at a second speed-load condition. The controller then determines if the EGR runner associated with the particular cylinder is obstructed based on the off-state value and the on-state value. | 01-23-2014 |
20140021832 | ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WITH ROTATIONAL POSITION SENSOR - An actuator assembly includes a housing having a central axis, a motor compartment on one end defined about the central axis, a gear compartment on the other end. An electronic rotational position sensor is fixed relative to the housing proximate the motor compartment. A motor assembly is disposed in the motor compartment and has a hollow input shaft extending along the central axis into the gear compartment. An output shaft extends along the central axis and has a lower end extending out of the gear compartment and an upper end extending freely through the hollow input shaft to a point proximate to the electronic rotational position sensor. A gear assembly is supported within the gear compartment for translating rotation of the input shaft to the output shaft. A sensed object is disposed on the upper end of the output shaft opposed to the speed sensor. | 01-23-2014 |
20140021808 | ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A MOTOR WITH HEAT DISSIPATION - An actuator assembly includes a housing with a motor compartment, a gear compartment, a bulkhead separating the motor compartment from the gear compartment, and an aperture through the bulkhead. The actuator assembly also includes a motor assembly in the motor compartment defining a space radially between the motor assembly and the gear motor compartment. A high thermal conductivity material is disposed within the space to transfer heat from the motor assembly to the housing. The bulkhead includes one of a groove and a rib surrounding the aperture on the side of the bulkhead facing the motor compartment and the motor assembly includes the other of the groove and the rib such that the rib fits within the groove to prevent the high thermal conductivity material from migrating radially inward of the groove and the rib when the high thermal conductivity material is injected into the space. | 01-23-2014 |
20140020491 | COMPACT MODULAR ACTUATOR - A modular actuator assembly is provided which is adapted to accommodate a predetermined range of gear ratios. The modular actuator assembly includes a standard housing having a central axis, a motor compartment on one end defined about the central axis and a generally cylindrical, coaxial gear compartment on the other end with a fixed diameter. A drive motor is disposed in the motor compartment and has an input shaft extending along the central axis into the gear compartment. An output shaft extends along the central axis and out of the gear compartment and is supported for free, coaxial rotation within the gear compartment. A gear assembly includes predetermined radial design clearances that are sufficiently large to allow gears of differing diameters to be included to allow the predetermined range of gear ratios to be accommodated with the standard housing. | 01-23-2014 |
20140000958 | CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY | 01-02-2014 |
20140000508 | NEEDLE INDICATOR ORIENTED BY PERIPHERY ELECTROMAGNETS | 01-02-2014 |
20130344791 | AIR STREAM VELOCITY CONTROL FOR VENTILATION SYSTEM - A system and a method of controlling a ventilation or HVAC system that is configured to provide an air stream having a comfortable contact velocity to an occupant seated in a vehicle cabin. The system includes a sensor to determine the distance from a discharge nozzle to the vehicle occupant and a controller to control the exit velocity and/or an effective diameter of the nozzle. The sensor may use ultrasonic, infrared, LIDAR, or RADAR technology to determine distance. The system may determine the distance from the nozzle to the occupant based on a seat location determined by a seat location sensor. The seat location sensor may be common to an inflatable restraint (air bag) system. | 12-26-2013 |
20130344409 | MULTI-FUEL COMBUSTOR WITH SWIRL FLAME STABILIZATION - A combustor for generating and supplying hot combustion gases to a fuel reformer includes an annular passage defined by a swirler having a central hub and an outer wall. One or more vanes are disposed in the annular passage to impart angular momentum to a gas flowing axially through the annular passage. At least one opening is defined in the central hub for introducing a first fuel into the annular passage, and at least one opening is defined in the outer wall in for introducing a second fuel into the annular passage. In a further aspect of the invention, the fuel introduced into the annular passage through the outer wall is a gaseous fuel, for example effluent gas from a fuel cell, and the fuel introduced into the annular passage through the central hub is a vaporized liquid fuel, for example vaporized diesel fuel. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342307 | CONTROL PANEL WITH RESISTIVE KEYS AND PRESTRESSED SENSORS - A control panel comprising a cover that is equipped with at least one zone for detecting tactile contact forming a control button, in which a force sensor comprising a pressure-sensitive zone is arranged between the cover and the support so as to detect actuation of the control button, the force of the tactile contact being transmitted axially to the sensitive zone via a spacer plate made of an elastically compressible material that is inserted between the sensor and the cap, characterized in that the internal surface of the cap comprises a series of protruding elements that are distributed over the internal surface of the cap opposite the sensitive zone so as to form a number of regularly distributed zones of localized overpressure. | 12-26-2013 |
20130335931 | SURFACE MOUNT INTERCONNECTION SYSTEM FOR MODULAR CIRCUIT BOARD AND METHOD - A surface mount interconnection system provides a method and apparatus for mounting an auxiliary printed circuit board assembly directly to a main printed circuit board assembly without the use of leaded surface mount devices. A linear array of spaced-apart solder pads is arranged on an exposed surface of the substrate of both assemblies, with at least one of solder pad arrays being located adjacent an edge of its associated substrate. A selected plurality of aligned cooperating pairs of solder pads are electrically and mechanically interconnected by a solder ball reflowed to form a joint there between. The solder balls comprise a high melting temperature inner core and a low melting temperature outer solder core. | 12-19-2013 |
20130330959 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTION SYSTEM INCLUDING MATING ASSIST LEVER THAT CONTAINS LOCKING MEANS AND CPA MEMBER THAT INTERACTS THEREWITH - An electrical connection system and method includes a first connector housing matable to a second connector housing along a mating axis. The first connector housing contains a mating assist lever (MAL) that rotationally pivots between an INOPERATIVE position and a CLOSED position and includes a locking means. When the MAL is positionally rotatable to the CLOSED position the first connector housing and the second connector housing are mated together such that the locking means is disposed adjacent an external surface of the second connector housing. A sufficiently applied force against the locking means actuates the locking means so that the locking means latchingly secures the first connector housing to the second connector housing. A CPA member, also disposed on the MAL, slidingly communicates with the latched locking means transverse to the mating axis and ensures the latched locking means does not become unlatched so that electrical connection system remains mated. | 12-12-2013 |
20130330950 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTION SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES AN INTEGRALLY FORMED RETAINING MEANS TO SECURE A SEALING MEMBER DISPOSED THEREIN - An electrical connection system includes a first connector housing including electrical contacts and a second connector housing including corresponding electrical mating contacts. The first connector housing and electrical contacts are configured to mate with the second connector housing and the electrical mating contacts along a mating axis. At least one of the first and second connector housings includes a sealing member that surrounds the electrical contact associated with the at least one of the first and second connector housings and further contains a retaining means to retain the sealing member therein. The retaining means is integrally formed with the connector housing. A method to construct the electrical connection system that includes the sealing member and the integral retaining means is also presented. | 12-12-2013 |
20130325301 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A method of controlling fuel injection in an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder with an associated fuel injector for performing injection events is proposed, wherein for each injection event a pulse width is determined with which the injector is kept open to spray a desired quantity of fuel. When the quantity of fuel of a given fuel injection event is greater than a learning threshold, a split fuel injection is performed, whereby a first, low injection pulse and a second, complementary injection pulse are executed. Data representative of a closing time and/or an opening time of the fuel injector is determined in respect of the first, low injection pulse and a learned correction value is elaborated based on the closing time and/or opening time, the learned correction value being subsequently used for injection control. | 12-05-2013 |
20130325256 | NON-CONTACT GESTURE RECOGNITION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A non-contact gesture recognition system for recognizing gestures made by an occupant of a vehicle using a first multiple-zone temperature sensor equipped with an array of temperature sensors. The sensor outputs an array signal indicative of a zone temperature for each of a plurality of zones within the vehicle. The array may be oriented such that a sample direction on the array arising from the gesture is characterized as diagonal. The sensor may include a multi-focal length Fresnel lens panel formed of a plurality of Fresnel lens elements having various focal lengths. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321776 | MULTIPLE VIEWER THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) DISPLAY - A multiple viewer display configured to display one or more perspectives of a plurality of scenes toward a corresponding plurality of locations in order to provide each of a corresponding plurality of persons viewing the display a distinct two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) image. The display includes a single projector configured to project the one or more perspectives of the plurality of scenes toward a minor arrangement positioned configured to reflect the one or more perspectives of the plurality of scenes projected by the single projector toward a holographic diffuser As such, distinct 2D or 3D images are seen by each of the plurality of persons viewing the display from distinct locations. | 12-05-2013 |
20130314416 | VOLUMETRIC DISPLAY USING ELECTROWETTING MIRROR ARRAYS - A volumetric display that includes a dispersion block defining a plurality of voxels that are characterized as being visibly apparent when illuminated by impinging light, a projector configured to project one or more light rays for illuminating one or more of the plurality of voxels, and a plurality of arrays of electrowetting mirrors arranged about the dispersion block, wherein each electrowetting mirror is operable to reflect a light ray from the projector toward a selected voxel. The arrays of electrowetting minors provide for a volumetric display that is readily focused. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314311 | SYSTEM FOR PROJECTING 3D IMAGES AND DETECTING GESTURES - A three dimensional (3D) imaging system configured to display an autostereoscopic image of a scene toward a viewing area, and detect gestures occurring in the viewing area. The system includes an imaging device configured to project a plurality of projected images in distinct directions, and each projected image is characterized as a distinct perspective view of the scene. The imaging device is also configured to detect a plurality of received images for the purpose of detecting gestures. The system also includes a holographic diffuser, and a mirror arrangement configured to reflect the plurality of projected images from the imaging device toward the holographic diffuser to display an autostereoscopic image of the scene in the holographic diffuser, and reflect a plurality of perspective images from the viewing area toward the imaging device such that each received image corresponds to a distinct perspective view of the viewing area. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314221 | OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD USING A CAMERA AND A MULTIPLE ZONE TEMPERATURE SENSOR - A system and method to provide a notification to an operator of a vehicle that an object is proximate to the vehicle. Data from a visible light camera and a multiple zone temperature sensor are combined or fused to determine which regions of a display should be highlighted in order to help the vehicle operator better notice or discern an object shown on a display. The region or area of the display highlighted is determined by displaying a highlighted area or icon on the display corresponding to an area where objects detected on image data maps of hue and/or saturation and/or intensity data from the camera intersect with objects detected on a temperature data map from the temperature sensor. Misalignment between the camera and the temperature sensor may be tolerated by expanding the object detected on the various maps in order to increase the probability of an intersection occurring. | 11-28-2013 |
20130313753 | ELECTRIC TERMINALS SEALED WITH MICROENCAPSULATED POLYMERS - A method for sealing a terminal to a hole through a plastic body includes applying a microencapsulated polymer to a portion of the terminal that is to be sealed to the hole, the microencapsulated polymer including a plurality of microcapsules where each microcapsule includes a capsule wall with reactants within the capsule wall. The method also includes surrounding the portion of the terminal with the hole after applying the microencapsulated polymer. The capsule walls are ruptured to release the reactants and seal the terminal to the hole. | 11-28-2013 |
20130300555 | SEAT BELT REMINDER SYSTEM - A seat belt reminder system includes an occupant sensor to detect an occupant in a seat of a vehicle and a buckle sensor to detect when a seat belt is latched to a seat belt buckle. A controller detects whether the seat belt buckle is latched and a wireless transmitter sends the buckle status to a remote receiver in the vehicle. The controller and transmitter are powered by a battery that is separate from the vehicle electrical system. The controller, transmitter, and battery may be incorporated into the occupant sensor. A separate power supply for the controller and transmitter and a wireless connection to the receiver in the vehicle eliminates the need for a wiring harness from the seat to the vehicle. The seat belt reminder system may provide long battery life by connecting the controller and transmitter to the battery only when the seat is occupied. | 11-14-2013 |
20130298554 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDITIONING INTAKE AIR TO AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A system for conditioning the intake air to an internal combustion engine includes a means to boost the pressure of the intake air to the engine and a liquid cooled charge air cooler disposed between the output of the boost means and the charge air intake of the engine. Valves in the coolant system can be actuated so as to define a first configuration in which engine cooling is performed by coolant circulating in a first coolant loop at one temperature, and charge air cooling is performed by coolant flowing in a second coolant loop at a lower temperature. The valves can be actuated so as to define a second configuration in which coolant that has flowed through the engine can be routed through the charge air cooler. The temperature of intake air to the engine can be controlled over a wide range of engine operation. | 11-14-2013 |
20130293332 | IGNITION COIL - An ignition coil includes a central core, a primary winding, a spool, a secondary winding, and a case outward of the core, spool, primary winding, and secondary winding. The secondary winding is wound on the spool and includes a high voltage end. The ignition coil also includes a cup formed of a metal material in electrical communication with the high voltage end of the secondary winding and is configured to be contacted by a conductive connector that is suitable for connection to a spark plug. The cup includes a generally cylindrical first sidewall press fit with the case and defining a press fit area at the interface of the first sidewall and the case, a generally cylindrical second sidewall spaced radially from the first sidewall, and an annular space defined between the press fit area and the second sidewall. | 11-07-2013 |
20130291844 | IGNITION COIL - An ignition coil for an internal combustion engine includes a magnetically-permeable core extending along a core longitudinal axis, the core having a pair of end surfaces on axially-opposite ends thereof. The ignition coil also includes a primary winding disposed outward of the core, a secondary winding disposed outward of the primary winding, and a structure comprising magnetically-permeable steel laminations having a base and a pair of legs, the structure defining a magnetic return path. The core is disposed between the pair of legs such that the core longitudinal axis extends through the legs and the end surfaces face toward the legs and at least one of the end surfaces of the core is spaced apart from a respective one of the legs to define an air gap. The structure is over-molded with an over-molding material such that the over-molding material fills at least a portion of the air gap. | 11-07-2013 |
20130291335 | GROMMET - A grommet extends along an axis for insertion into a hole of a panel. The grommet includes a hollow funnel-shaped section inclined to the axis such that a portion of said funnel-shaped section is compressed radially inward during insertion of the grommet into said hole, the funnel-shaped section terminates at a circular ridgeline. The grommet also includes a retention groove adjacent to the ridgeline for receiving the panel upon complete insertion of the grommet into the hole. An array of recesses is included on an inside surface of the grommet. The recesses are arranged to expand when the funnel-shaped section passes through the hole during insertion of the grommet into the hole. | 11-07-2013 |
20130285735 | OPERATOR CONTROL ASSEMBLY - A control assembly adapted for automotive applications provides operator inputs and displays and includes a uniface ornamental escutcheon defining a central display area and a plurality of operator input devices at least partially circumscribing the display area. Each operator input device includes a faux control member integrally formed within the escutcheon and having beveled circumferential contours mimicking a discrete displacable control element. At least one substrate extends rearwardly from and closely conforms with a rear surface of the escutcheon, and is positioned to transect a plurality of adjacent faux control members. At least one capacitance sensor is associated with each faux control member and is carried on a forward facing edge of the substrate. As a result, each operator input device is touch sensitive to manual operator selection of input devices by touching the exposed face of the escutcheon to effect a desired switching function. | 10-31-2013 |
20130285457 | CASCADED MULTILEVEL INVERTER AND METHOD FOR OPERATING PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS AT A MAXIMUM POWER POINT - A method of operating a cascaded multilevel inverter of photovoltaic system to transfer electrical power from a plurality of photovoltaic cells onto an electrical power distribution grid. Power switches in the inverter are operated in a manner effective to combine a block voltage output from each selected photovoltaic blocks series-wise to output an inverter voltage substantially equal to the grid voltage. A selected photovoltaic block may be pulse width modulated to incrementally adjust a current or voltage output by the system. The photovoltaic blocks selected to contribute to the current or voltage output by the system are selected based on a desire to operate solar panels formed by the photovoltaic cells at a maximum power point (MPP) of each solar panel in a photovoltaic block. Shuffling of which blocks are selected may occur at any time during synthesizing a sinusoidal output signal. | 10-31-2013 |
20130284147 | THROTTLE RETURN SPRING WITH ECCENTRIC LOCATOR COILS - A helical torsion return spring and a throttle body assembly for urging a throttle plate of a throttle body assembly to a default position when a throttle motor of the throttle body assembly is disabled. The return spring includes a middle portion, a first end portion, a second end portion, a first spring leg, and a second spring leg. The throttle body assembly includes a throttle shaft, a first bushing, a second bushing, and the spring defined above. A first end portion center axis defined by the first end portion and a second end portion center axis defined by the second end portion are offset from a middle portion center axis defined by the middle portion. | 10-31-2013 |
20130283838 | UNITARY HEAT PUMP AIR CONDITIONER - The disclosure relates to a unitary heat pump air conditioner (Unitary HPAC) that includes a refrigerant loop having a condenser, a refrigerant expansion device, and an evaporator hydraulically connected in series. An electrically driven compressor is provided to circulate a two-phase refrigerant through the refrigerant loop to transfer heat from the evaporator to the condenser. The unitary HPAC also includes a cold side chiller configured to hydraulically connect to a cold side coolant loop and is in thermal communication with the evaporator. The unitary HPAC further includes a hot side chiller configured to hydraulically connect to a hot side coolant loop and is in thermal communication with the condenser. The refrigerant loop transfer heat from the cold side chiller to the hot side chiller, thereby cooling the cold side coolant loop and heating the hot side coolant loop. The components of the unitary HPAC are mounted on a common platform. | 10-31-2013 |
20130275025 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A HEATED FUEL INJECTOR IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A system, a controller, and a method for controlling a fuel injector during start-up of a fuel injected internal combustion engine. The fuel injector has a heater element configured to heat liquid fuel, such as gasoline, ethanol, gasoline/alcohol blends, diesel, or JP-8 within the fuel injector and indicate heater temperature. The controller is configured to estimate a fuel temperature based on the heater temperature, determine a crankshaft angle at which to initiate an injection event based on the fuel temperature, and initiate the injection event at the determined crankshaft angle. The controller is further configured to determine injection duration based on the fuel temperature and operate the fuel injector according to the determined injection duration. The controller may delay the injection event until the fuel temperature reaches a fuel temperature threshold. The injection event may be a priming injection event, cranking injection event, or running injection event. | 10-17-2013 |
20130275022 | ENGINE CRANK SIGNAL CORRECTION METHOD AND CONTROLLER - An engine control module and method configured to correct an engine crank sensor signal for errors in an apparent location of a tooth edge on a crank wheel is provided. A correction factor is determined based on a first formula if a comparison of adjacent pulse intervals to predetermined thresholds indicates that a tooth edge appears to be abnormally late, and determined based on a second formula if a comparison of adjacent pulse intervals to other predetermined thresholds indicates that a tooth edge appears to be abnormally The correction factor is set to a null value if the correction factor is not determined based on the first formula or the second formula; and operating an engine based on the correction factor. | 10-17-2013 |
20130270257 | EXHAUST SENSOR HEATER CIRCUIT FOR NON-CALIBRATED REPLACEMENT IN EXISTING APPLICATIONS - A planar device includes a heating circuit that is disposed between ceramic layers in a planar device and co-fired with the ceramic. The heating circuit material and geometry are controlled so as to provide a targeted resistance characteristic as a function of temperature that allows interchangeability in an engine management system that was designed for a heater circuit based on a material system that cannot be co-fired with the planar device. | 10-17-2013 |
20130269415 | CRANK SIGNAL ERROR DETECTION USING A CAM SIGNAL INTERVAL - A method of detecting a crank signal error that includes incrementing a crank tooth counter in response to detecting a crank signal, comparing the crank tooth counter to an expected value when a cam signal is detected, and indicating a crank signal error if the crank tooth counter is not substantially equal to the expected value. This method is advantageous because a cam interval used to determine when to start and stop counting crank tooth pulses is automatically adjusted for variations in engine speed, while the prior art time based methods must adjust the time interval for variations in engine speed. | 10-17-2013 |
20130264203 | LOW COST CO-FIRED SENSOR HEATING CIRCUIT - A planar device includes a heating circuit that is disposed between ceramic layers and co-fired with the ceramic. The heating circuit comprises palladium, and the co-firing of the palladium and ceramic is performed in an oxidizing atmosphere. The formation of defects in the planar device that would otherwise be induced as a result of the palladium oxidizing during the co-firing process is prevented by control of the firing profile, by the geometry of the pattern of the heating circuit, and/or by modifying the palladium to reduce its tendency to oxidize. | 10-10-2013 |
20130261927 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO AUTHENTICATE AN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE DEVICE - A method of authenticating an automotive device connected to an engine control system that stores an authentication code in memory of the automotive device that is generated by an encryption algorithm using an identification code of the automotive device as a seed value. The engine controller determines a verification code using a complementary encryption algorithm that also uses the identification code received from the automotive device as a seed value. The engine controller compares the authentication code to the verification code, and indicates that the automotive device is not authentic if the authentication code does not correspond to the verification code. Advantageously, authenticating the automotive device will be done autonomously by the engine controller without prompting by a technician using special equipment such as a laptop computer. | 10-03-2013 |
20130258592 | LIQUID COOLED ELECTRONICS ASSEMBLY SUITABLE TO USE ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE COOLANT - A liquid cooled power electronics assembly configured to use electrically conductive coolant to cool power electronic devices that uses dielectric plates sealed with a metallic seal around the perimeter of the dielectric plates to form a device assembly, and then forms another metallic seal between the device assembly and a housing. The configuration allows for more direct contact between the electronic device and the coolant, while protecting the electronic device from contact with potentially electrically conductive coolant. Material used to form the dielectric plates and the housing are selected to have similar coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) so that the reliability of the seals is maximized. | 10-03-2013 |
20130257603 | HAPTIC CONTROL DEVICE INCLUDING A SEAL - Haptic control device that includes a tactile panel mounted movably relative to a support including a peripheral wall, characterized by the fact that a seal is arranged on the periphery of the tactile panel in an annular space situated between the tactile panel and the peripheral wall of the support, the seal including: an inner portion in tight contact with the tactile panel, an outer portion in tight contact with the peripheral wall of the support, and a connecting portion that extends between the inner portion and the outer portion and is elastically deformable so as to absorb the relative displacements of the tactile panel relative to the peripheral wall of the support without removing the haptic effect produced by the movements of the tactile panel. | 10-03-2013 |
20130257460 | PARTICULATE MATTER SENSOR WITH TWO PAIRS OF SENSING ELECTRODES AND METHOD OF USING SAME - A particulate matter sensor includes a first pair of sensing electrodes with a gap therebetween and a second pair of sensing electrodes with a gap therebetween. A method for determining an amount of soot on the particulate matter sensor includes determining the electrical resistance between the first pair of electrodes and the electrical resistance between the second pair of electrodes. The amount of soot deposited on the particulate matter sensor is determined based on the electrical resistance values. The time rate of change of resistance between the first pair of electrodes and the time rate of change of resistance between the second pair of electrodes are determined. The first and second rates of change are compared to each other and to threshold values, and the determination of soot amount may be modified depending on the results of these comparisons. | 10-03-2013 |
20130256296 | TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT METHOD FOR A HEATED SENSOR - A method for determining the temperature of a sensor that comprises a heater is provided. The method includes the steps of applying a voltage to the heater and measuring the voltage applied to the heater and the current through the heater during a first time interval, and removing the applied voltage from the heater and leaving the heater unpowered for a second time interval. The method further includes the steps of calculating the resistance of the heater using the measured voltage and current, and determining the temperature of the sensor from the resistance using a predetermined relationship. The first time interval is selected to be sufficiently short in duration and the second time interval is selected to be sufficiently long so as to not significantly raise the temperature of the heater. The sensor temperature so determined can be used to perform diagnostic functions for a system that includes the sensor. | 10-03-2013 |
20130252474 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTION SYSTEM - An electrical connection assembly includes a first connector which includes a first electrical contact surrounded by a first connector wall defining a first connector cavity. The first connector wall includes a plurality of ribs extending into the first connector cavity. A second connector is matable with the first connector along a mating axis and includes a second electrical contact in electrical communication with the first electrical contact when the first connector is mated with the second connector. The second connector includes a second connector body surrounding the second electrical contact. | 09-26-2013 |
20130249564 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DETECT A SHORT TO GROUND OF AN EXTERNAL SENSOR RETURN LINE - A controller, a system, and a method to detect a short to ground condition of a return line of an external sensor that outputs a sensor signal relative to the return line. A ground switch that electrically connects the return line to a ground potential when the ground switch is in the closed state is momentarily opened, and one or more sensor signals are checked to determine if the sensor signals change as expected when the ground switch is opened. If a value change of a sensor signal is less than a threshold value when the ground switch is switched from the closed state to the open state, then a short to ground condition of the return line is indicated. | 09-26-2013 |
20130248166 | PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL EVAPORATOR CHARGING CONTROL - An evaporator has a manifold and a plurality of refrigerant tubes extending downward in the direction of gravity from the manifold. The evaporator includes at least one PCM housing engaging the upper portion of the refrigerant tube for storing a phase change material. When operating in a first operating mode, heat is transferred from the phase change material to the refrigerant to freeze and cool the phase change material. When operating in a second operating mode, heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the frozen phase change material to condense the refrigerant. The condensed refrigerant falls downwardly through the tubes and receives heat from a flow of air to cool the air and evaporate the refrigerant. The evaporated refrigerant rises upwardly back to the low pressure of the cold manifold. | 09-26-2013 |
20130240695 | BULLET RETAINING CLIP ASSEMBLY - A retainer for affixing an electromechanical device to adjacent motor vehicle support structure includes an locating pin integrally molded of relative hard material as an integral feature of the electromechanical device case. The locating pin includes parallel side walls forming an axially directed channel bifurcated by a tapered guideway and at least one inwardly facing engagement surface. The retainer also includes a relatively soft bushing clip having resilient arms slip-fit within said channel straddling the tapered guideway to self-lock with said engagement surface. The clip arms extend outwardly of said locating pin side walls and form opposed, axially extending bushing surfaces operative to engage vehicle support structure. | 09-19-2013 |
20130240192 | MANIFOLD FLUID COMMUNICATION PLATE - A communication plate extends along and is sandwiched between cylindrical communication manifolds of a first heat exchanger assembly and a second heat exchanger assembly. The communication plate includes a saddling surface arcuate in one direction and a saddling surface arcuate in the opposite direction for engaging in saddle-like fashion the cylindrical shape of the manifolds. The communication plate defines a plurality of communication plate orifices disposed along the communication plate and aligned co-axial with a plurality of communication orifices disposed along the manifolds to seal the communication orifices of the manifolds and establish distributed and sealed fluid communication between the heat exchanger assemblies. | 09-19-2013 |
20130240191 | MANIFOLD FLUID COMMUNICATION PLATE - A communication plate extends along and is sandwiched between cylindrical communication manifolds of a first heat exchanger assembly and a second heat exchanger assembly. The communication plate includes a saddling surface arcuate in one direction and a saddling surface arcuate in the opposite direction for engaging in saddle-like fashion the cylindrical shape of the manifolds. The communication plate defines a plurality of communication plate orifices disposed along the communication plate and aligned co-axial with a plurality of communication orifices disposed along the manifolds to seal the communication orifices of the manifolds and establish distributed and sealed fluid communication between the heat exchanger assemblies. | 09-19-2013 |
20130232776 | MANIFOLD BENDING SUPPORT - A bending support having a planar bracing member with a length (L) that is substantially equal to that of the inner diameter (I.D.) of the manifold header that the bending support is ultimately inserted in. Extending perpendicularly from a surface of the bracing member is a pair of bracketing members. The pair of bracketing member and the portion of the planar bracing member therebetween defines a refrigerant conduit clip. The interior surface of the refrigerant conduit clip includes a skived pattern defining a plurality of teeth or protrusions that aids in the attachment of the refrigerant conduit clip onto an internal refrigerant conduit. An aperture located on the planar bracing member between the pair of bracketing member provides an unobstructed path for refrigerant flow to the refrigerant conduit. | 09-12-2013 |
20130229783 | CONTROL DEVICE WITH ROTARY SWITCH BACK-LIT BY A LIGHT GUIDE - A control device, in particular for a motor vehicle, including a rotary switch and a peripheral display zone which are arranged on a board and which are back-lit by a back-lighting device, the rotary switch including a knob which is mounted in rotation relative to the board about an axis, the knob being provided with an illuminated pointer turning with the knob, the peripheral display zone including fixed illuminated symbols arranged around the rotary switch, characterized by the fact that the back-lighting device includes at least one light source which cooperates with a light guide lighting both the illuminated pointer and the peripheral display zone. | 09-05-2013 |
20130218488 | ALGORITHM FOR DETECTING ACTIVATION OF A PUSH BUTTON - The invention relates to an algorithm for detecting activation of a tactile pressure sensor having a mechanic structure that includes the steps of: (a) measuring periodically an input quantity (V | 08-22-2013 |
20130214187 | SOLENOID-ACTUATED PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE - A valve assembly includes a hydraulic subassembly with a valve member displaceable along a valve axis for controlling flow of fluid. The valve assembly also includes a solenoid subassembly for selectively displacing said valve member. The solenoid subassembly includes a metallic solenoid housing having an open end and a solenoid housing base. The solenoid subassembly also includes a solenoid coil assembly disposed within the solenoid housing, the solenoid coil assembly having a coil wound around a plastic spool defining a spool bore extending through the spool. The solenoid subassembly also includes a metallic solenoid housing cover closing off the open end of the solenoid housing and attached to the solenoid housing with a crimp connection. The solenoid subassembly also includes a metallic column disposed within and passing through the spool bore extending from the solenoid housing base to the solenoid housing cover. | 08-22-2013 |
20130213349 | High-Efficiency Internal Combustion Engine and Method for Operating Employing Full-Time Low-Temperature Partially-Premixed Compression Ignition with Low Emissions - An engine system and a method of controlling a combustion process in an internal combustion engine are disclosed. The combustion process is based on compression ignition of a stratified air-fuel mixture using a high octane fuel such as gasoline. Multiple fuel injections may be used in a given combustion cycle. Fuel injection timing, EGR, exhaust rebreathing, late intake valve closing, and intake boost are controlled to enable autoignition over essentially the entire speed and load operating range of the engine, while providing reduced emissions, low noise, and low fuel consumption. | 08-22-2013 |
20130213124 | METHOD TO DETERMINE PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTIC OF AN ENGINE EXHAUST SYSTEM - A method to determine a performance characteristic of an exhaust system of an engine, where the exhaust system includes an exhaust gas sensor that outputs an exhaust gas signal. A combustion event in a cylinder is fueled at an air-fuel ratio selected to produce exhaust gas that is expected to be distinguishable by the exhaust gas sensor from exhaust gas produced by other combustion events, and used to determine the performance characteristic. The performance characteristic may be an exhaust gas transport time of the exhaust system, a sensitivity characteristic of the exhaust gas sensor, or a fueling correction value necessary to restore fueling to, for example, stoichiometry. Such a method is useful to detect physical changes in the exhaust system such as relocating the exhaust gas sensor, or detect if the exhaust gas sensor is damaged or not operating properly. | 08-22-2013 |
20130208945 | METHOD FOR THE DETECTION AND TRACKING OF LANE MARKINGS - In a method for the detection and tracking of lane markings from a motor vehicle, an image of a space located in front of the vehicle is captured by means of an image capture device at regular intervals. The picture elements that meet a predetermined detection criterion are identified as detected lane markings in the captured image. At least one detected lane marking as a lane marking to be tracked is subjected to a tracking process. At least one test zone is defined for each detected lane marking. With the aid of intensity values of the picture elements associated with the test zone, at least one parameter is determined. The detected lane marking is assigned to one of several lane marking categories, depending on the parameter. | 08-15-2013 |
20130207442 | SEAT BELT SYSTEM WITH BUCKLE LATCH AND TENSION SENSOR - A seat belt system configured for use in a vehicle includes a seat belt buckle assembly that is configured to determine the both the latch condition of the seat belt buckle assembly with the seat belt tongue, and the tension applied to the seat belt webbing in a seat belt system. The seat belt buckle assembly includes a latch configured to receive and engage the seat belt tongue, a magnet, and a magnetic sensor configured to determine relative displacement of the magnet. The seat belt buckle assembly is configured to cause a first displacement between the magnet and the magnetic sensor in response to engagement of the seat belt tongue with the latch and cause a second displacement between the magnet and the magnetic sensor in response to tension on the seat belt webbing via the seat belt tongue. The first displacement is distinct from the second displacement. | 08-15-2013 |
20130206378 | CONDENSER HAVING A RECEIVER/DEHYDRATOR TOP ENTRANCE WITH COMMUNICATION CAPABLE OF STABILIZED CHARGE PLATEAU - A sub-cooled condenser for an air conditioning system includes a condenser portion, a sub-cooler portion located below that of the condenser portion, an integral receiver tank having an upper receiver first chamber with a first fluid port in hydraulic connection with the condenser portion and a lower receiver second chamber having a second fluid port in hydraulic connection with the sub-cooler portion, and a refrigerant conduit disposed in the receiver tank. The refrigerant conduit may include a top entry end extending into the upper receiver first chamber and a bottom discharge end extending in the lower receiver second chamber, wherein the bottom discharge end may extend below the second fluid port. The condenser portion may include multiple passes in which the refrigerant flows in an upward direction from the inlet of the condenser portion to the first fluid port that is in hydraulic connection to the upper receiver first chamber. | 08-15-2013 |
20130203365 | PLUG-IN VEHCILE SECURITY SYSTEM WITH A WIRELESS RELAY - A plug-in vehicle security system that includes a plug-in wireless relay module and a plug-in telematics device. The relay module includes a relay switch and a wireless receiver coupled to the relay switch in a manner effective to influence operation of the relay switch based on reception of an authorization signal. The telematics device includes a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the authorization signal in response to a network signal. The telematics device also includes a network transceiver configured to receive the network signal from a communication network. A plug-in vehicle security system is advantageous because installation costs are reduced by reducing the time and installation expertise necessary to do the installation. Such a system will be particularly attractive to vehicle rental fleet operators. | 08-08-2013 |
20130200670 | OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR ASSEMBLY - A sensor system and seat assembly includes a sensor assembly configured to detect a seating force exerted on a portion of a seat cushion of a seat. The sensor assembly includes a base, a force transducer configured to output a signal indicative of the seating force, and a lever pivotably coupled to the base. The lever defines a sensing end configured to be disposed proximate to the portion of the seat cushion such that the seating force operates on the sensing end. The lever also defines an actuating end configured to apply an actuation force to the force transducer. The sensor assembly may comprise a plurality of levers. Each sensing end of each lever may be disposed in a separate location within the portion of the seat cushion. The sensor assembly may be configured to detect a child exerting a seating force on a portion of the seat cushion. | 08-08-2013 |
20130199901 | CONTROL SYSTEM WITH DISPLACEABLE KNOB - Control system ( | 08-08-2013 |
20130199760 | HEAT EXCHANGER ASSEMBLY HAVING SPLIT MINI-LOUVERED FINS - A heat exchanger assembly is provided having at least one header, a plurality of spaced apart fluid tubes in hydraulic communication with the header, and a plurality of corrugated fins disposed between the tubes. The corrugated fins include a planar portion having a louver segment defined between a pair of primary slits, in which the louver segment includes an intermediate slit splitting the louver segment into a pair of mini-louvers. The mini-louvers are counter-offset such that one of the mini-louvers is on one side of the planar portion and the other one of the mini-lover is on the other side of the planar portion. The mini-louvers may be pivoted about their respective junctures such that each of the mini-louver segments is oblique relative to the planar portion. | 08-08-2013 |
20130196253 | FUEL CELL STACK HAVING INTERLOCKING FEATURES TO ENHANCE ADHESION OF GLASS SEAL TO SEALING SURFACES - A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack having a glass seal sandwiched between the sealing surfaces of adjacent cassettes, in which at least one cassette includes means for interlocking the glass seal onto the sealing surface of the cassette for improved adhesion and durability of the glass seal. The at least one cassette includes a plurality of perforations configured to receive and lock onto a portion of the glass seal. At least one of the perforations includes a through-hole having an exterior opening on the sealing surface and an interior opening on the interior surface of the cassette. A portion of the glass seal is received in the perforation forming a glass column in the through-hole and a flared glass end on the interior surface surrounding the interior opening. The flared glass end cooperates with the glass column to interlock the glass seal onto the cassette's sealing surface. | 08-01-2013 |
20130195736 | HEAT EXCHANGER REFORMER - A catalytic reformer assembly includes a heated medium flow path for a first medium and a reforming flow path for a second medium. A catalyst substrate is located within the reforming flow path and supports a catalyst. A heat exchanger is disposed within the heated medium flow path for transferring heat from the heated medium flow path to the catalyst substrate. | 08-01-2013 |
20130195735 | HEAT EXCHANGER REFORMER WITH THERMAL EXPANSION MANAGEMENT - A catalytic reformer assembly comprises walls that define a first flow path for a first medium and a second flow path, fluidly isolated from the first flow path, for a second medium. The first flow path includes a central flow channel, a first annular flow channel radially surrounding the central flow channel, and a second annular flow channel radially surrounding the first annular flow channel. The second flow path comprises a third annular flow channel and a fourth annular flow channel each disposed radially between the first annular flow channel and the second annular flow channel. | 08-01-2013 |
20130194518 | ADJUSTABLE HEAD-UP DISPLAY DEVICE - The invention relates to a head-up display device, including a projector for generating a light beam carrying information to be displayed, a combiner having a display position for displaying the information in the field of vision of a user, and an optical system defining an optical path between the projector and the combiner when the latter is in the display position thereof, for directing the light beam onto the combiner. The optical system includes a first and a second deflecting mirror. The first mirror is arranged for receiving the light beam from the projector and for sending said light beam to the second mirror, the latter being arranged for sending the light beam over the optical path toward the combiner. An actuation system is provided for adjusting the length of the optical path between the projector and the combiner by positioning the first and second deflecting mirrors. | 08-01-2013 |
20130192904 | OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRATED FASTENERS - A sensor assembly for detecting an occupant on a seating surface of a seat includes an elastomeric mat and a switch mechanism disposed between a first and second plate. When an occupant having sufficient weight sits on the seating surface, the elastomeric mat compresses and the plates activate the switch mechanism. The first and second plates define integrated fasteners configured to slidably couple the first plate to the second plate. The plates may also define integrated fasteners configured to affix the switch mechanism and elastomeric mat to the sensor assembly. The integrated fasteners snap together to allow the sensor assembly to be assembled without any separate fastening devices, such as adhesives, threaded fasteners, or push pins. The integrated fasteners reduce the number of parts needed to assemble the sensor assembly and simplify the assembly process for the sensor assembly. | 08-01-2013 |
20130187770 | HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE - A human machine interface (HMI) for an automotive vehicle comprises an instrument cluster and at least one head-up display for displaying information. The HMI includes at least one picture generation unit, each of which includes a laser for generating a modulated laser beam and a micro-electromechanical scanning minor arranged in the optical path of the laser beam for sweeping the laser beam over a diffuser in a two-dimensional Lissajous pattern. The HMI further comprises a central control unit that may be interfaced with a vehicle's on-board computer and/or another on-board device. A processor of the central control unit is configured to determine the pictures to be generated by the at least two picture generation units and to calculate, for each picture generation unit, the two-dimensional Lissajous pattern and the modulation of the at least one laser beam, the combination of which results in the respective picture to be displayed. | 07-25-2013 |
20130186075 | HEAT EXCHANGER EQUIPPED WITH THERMAL ELECTRIC DEVICE FOR ENGINE EXHAUST CARBON DIOXIDE COLLECTION SYSTEM - A system for separating carbon dioxide gas from internal combustion engine exhaust and an electricity generating heat exchanger for the system. The system includes a scrubber tank containing a carbon dioxide absorbent fluid and configured to bubble exhaust gas from the heat exchanger through the carbon dioxide absorbent fluid, whereby carbon dioxide gas is absorbed by the carbon dioxide absorbent fluid. A carbon dioxide storage means stores the carbon dioxide released in a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger cools the exhaust gas emitted by the internal combustion engine, and includes a thermal electric generator (TEG) configured to couple thermally the exhaust gas chamber to the absorber fluid chamber in a manner effective to heat the CO2 absorbent fluid by heat from the engine exhaust to release CO2 gas from the CO2 absorbent fluid and generate electricity in response to a temperature difference therebetween. | 07-25-2013 |
20130181797 | COIL APPARATUS HAVING COIL ARRANGEMENT THAT INCLUDES A FERRITE LAYER AND A THERMALLY-CONDUCTIVE SILICONE LAYER - A coil apparatus includes a first housing and a second housing that surroundingly encloses the first housing. The first housing has a coil arrangement disposed therein. The coil arrangement includes a ferrite layer and a thermally-conductive silicone layer that overlies the ferrite layer. A wire conductor surrounds the first housing. A structure is received in a opening defined in the first housing to be in thermal communication with the thermally-conductive silicone layer. Another thermally-conductive silicone layer overlies the first housing and the structure so that the structure is also in thermal communication therewith. A metal layer further overlies the thermally-conductive silicone layer that overlies the first housing. The second housing includes a non-dielectric cover and a dielectric cavity portion that receives the coil arrangement. The coil apparatus is associated with an electrical charging system (ECS) that electrically charges an energy storage device (ESD) disposed on a motorized vehicle. | 07-18-2013 |
20130175108 | METHOD OF MEASURING A CHEMICAL VAPOR CONCENTRATION - A method of measuring a chemical vapor concentration is provided. A chemical vapor sensor measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, an ethanol vapor sensor is provided, sized for being inconspicuous and on-board a vehicle, having a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode, for detecting a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. For the passive mode, a vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectable level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. In an aspect, an active breathalyzer is used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period. | 07-11-2013 |
20130175107 | METHOD TO AVERT AN UNLAWFULLY INTOXICATED DRIVER FROM OPERATING A VEHICLE BY PASSIVE MEASUREMENT OF AN ETHANOL VAPOR CONCENTRATION IN AIR - A method to avert an unlawfully intoxicated driver from operating a vehicle is provided. The method utilizes a passive ethanol vapor sensor to measure ethanol vapor concentration in air from a vehicle cabin and imposes a safety response when the passive ethanol vapor sensor detects that a sample of vehicle cabin air indicates that a vehicle occupant exceeds the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for a motor vehicle driver. The ethanol vapor sensor may have a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode. Ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin may be passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. An active breathalyzer may be used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period. | 07-11-2013 |
20130174414 | PLANAR MAGNETIC STRUCTURE - A planar magnetic structure has an electrically insulating carrier made up of a base portion and opposed upstanding sidewalls. A plurality of planar primary windings and planar secondary windings are interstitially disposed within the carrier with planar dielectric spacers located between each adjacent pair of windings. A ferrite core envelopes the assembly to magnetically couple the windings. The carrier and windings form at least two spaces-apart sets of cooperating registration features which maintain the windings in fixed alignment with the carrier. | 07-11-2013 |
20130168070 | Heat Exchanger Assembly Having a Distributor Tube Retainer Tab - A heat exchanger assembly having an insertable distributor tube retainer tab configured to position and retain a distributor tube disposed within a first manifold extending along an axis A | 07-04-2013 |
20130163088 | WINDSHIELD DISPLAY SYSTEM USING ELECTROWETTING LENSES - A windshield display system for installation into a vehicle that includes a windshield, a transparent display overlaying the windshield, and an array of electrowetting lenses overlaying the transparent display. Each lens of the array is operable to a flat-state where light passes through the lens substantially undistorted, and a shaped-state where emitted light from an underlying portion of the transparent display is directed in order to increase an apparent brightness of the emitted light. The array selectively magnifies pixels or portions of the transparent display, while maintaining vision clarity for the operator in regions of the windshield where images are not being displayed. The array may also outline or highlight images being displayed with a region of distortion of surrounding the image to distort the view of the scene outside the vehicle to help the operator discern the image when the outside lighting conditions are less than ideal. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162466 | METHODS TO EXTEND THE FREQUENCY LOCK RANGE OF A RECEIVED RF SIGNAL USING A PREAMBLE-BASED FREQUENCY ESTIMATE - A method is presented to extend a frequency lock range of a received RF signal in a satellite receiver. One step in the method includes analyzing data information of a preamble associated with the received satellite RF signal. Another step includes determining an estimated frequency value that is a function of the analyzed data information that further includes at least a portion of the frequency error formed therein. A further step includes comparing the determined estimated frequency value to a predetermined threshold value. Another step includes using the determined estimated frequency value when the determined frequency value is greater than the predetermined threshold value to operatively control tracking mode electronic circuitry disposed in the satellite receiver to attain frequency lock on the received satellite RF signal. | 06-27-2013 |
20130153072 | PARALLEL PLATE TYPE REFRIGERANT STORAGE DEVICE - A refrigerant storage device that arranges two end plates to form a cavity and includes a turbulator plate within the cavity. The turbulator plate is arranged within the cavity to reinforce the cavity by providing a plurality of reinforcement portions between the end plates. The cavity is sized and the turbulator plate is configured so a liquid portion of refrigerant flowing through the cavity collects onto the turbulator plate. The device has a rectangular shape that simplifies vehicle packaging and allows the device to be readily integrated into a plate-type refrigerant-to-liquid coolant heat exchanger. The device is formed by a stacking arrangement of parts that provides for a readily scalable design. | 06-20-2013 |
20130151059 | PARALLEL PARKING ASSISTANT SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - A parallel parking assistant system integrated with a vehicle and method thereof are provided, the parking assistant system including a first sensor configured to determine a first distance, a second sensor configured to determine a second distance, and a controller configured to provide commands as a function of the first and second determined distances. The commands include a first command configured to command a steering system to be in a clockwise position while the vehicle is moving in a reverse direction for a first reversing distance, a second command configured to command the steering system to be in a substantially straight position while the vehicle is moving in a reverse direction for a second reversing distance, and a third command configured to command the steering system to be in a counter-clockwise position while the vehicle is a moving in a reverse direction for a third reversing distance. | 06-13-2013 |
20130148255 | SHAPEABLE SHORT CIRCUIT RESISTANT CAPACITOR - A ceramic short circuit resistant capacitor that is bendable and/or shapeable to provide a multiple layer capacitor that is extremely compact and amenable to desirable geometries. The capacitor that exhibits a benign failure mode in which a multitude of discrete failure events result in a gradual loss of capacitance. Each event is a localized event in which localized heating causes an adjacent portion of one or both of the electrodes to vaporize, physically cleaning away electrode material from the failure site. A first metal electrode, a second metal electrode, and a ceramic dielectric layer between the electrodes are thin enough to be formed in a serpentine-arrangement with gaps between the first electrode and the second electrode that allow venting of vaporized electrode material in the event of a benign failure. | 06-13-2013 |
20130148187 | WINDSHIELD WITH FLUORESCENT ELECTROWETTING DISPLAY - A windshield assembly that includes a fluorescent electrowetting cell and an opaque electrowetting cell overlying a windshield and configured so the opaque electrowetting cell cooperates with the fluorescent electrowetting cell to contrast an image displayed by the fluorescent electrowetting cell with respect to a field of view beyond the windshield assembly. The ability to contrast the image makes the image easier to see when bright sunlight is present. | 06-13-2013 |
20130146604 | FUEL LEVEL SENSOR AND FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY - A fuel level sensor assembly includes a magnetic sensor for sensing a magnetic field corresponding to fuel level. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetic sensing element packaged within a hermetically sealed non-magnetic metal case. The magnetic sensing element may be a Hall effect, giant magnetoresistive (GMR), or anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor. The case may correspond to the dimensions of a standard transistor outline (TO) package such as TO-3, TO-5, TO-8, TO-18, TO-39, TO-46, TO-52, or TO-72. | 06-13-2013 |
20130145832 | DIAGNOSTIC FOR TWO-MODE VARIABLE VALVE ACTIVATION DEVICE - A method is provided for diagnosing a multi-mode valve train device which selectively provides high lift and low lift to a combustion valve of an internal combustion engine having a camshaft phaser actuated by an electric motor. The method includes applying a variable electric current to the electric motor to achieve a desired camshaft phaser operational mode and commanding the multi-mode valve train device to a desired valve train device operational mode selected from a high lift mode and a low lift mode. The method also includes monitoring the variable electric current and calculating a first characteristic of the parameter. The method also includes comparing the calculated first characteristic against a predetermined value of the first characteristic measured when the multi-mode valve train device is known to be in the desired valve train device operational mode. | 06-13-2013 |
20130140082 | WIRE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY INCLUDING SPLICE ELEMENTS FOR FLUID ENVIRONMENTS AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A wire connector assembly configured to inhibit leakage of fluids between two distinct environments and a method of constructing same is presented. The assembly includes insulated wire cables having ends that are spaced apart and joined by a wire splice element within a connector body, thereby interrupting a fluid leak path through the strands of the wire cables. The connector body may be over-molded the wire splice elements and a portion of connector body may be disposed intermediate to the ends of the wire cables, providing an additional physical barrier to the fluid leak path. The wire splice element may include wire crimp wings that are crimped to the ends of the wire cable. The wire splice elements may also include insulation crimp wings that may be crimped to the insulation to prevent insulation on the wire cables from pulling back and exposing wire strands. | 06-06-2013 |
20130134933 | POWER SAFETY SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING A PLURALITY OF THERMALLY-TRIGGERED ELECTRICAL BREAKING ARRANGEMENTS - A power safety system (PSS) includes a plurality of thermally-triggered electrical breaking arrangements (TTEBAs). The plurality of TTEBAs are associated with a plurality of electrical devices (EDs) disposed external to the PSS. The PSS further includes a plurality of electrical power connections (EPCs) associated with said plurality of TTEBAs that are configured to respectively electrically connect the PSS to the plurality of EDs. When at least one TTEBA in the plurality of TTEBAs is electrically operative and at least one thermal event occurs that is sufficient to thermally activate the at least one electrically operative TTEBA, at least the EPC associated with the at least one thermally activated TTEBA is electrically broken. A method to protect a human operator of the PSS from a thermal event is also presented. A PSS also extends to a primary and a secondary electrical charging system used to charge a battery of a vehicle. | 05-30-2013 |
20130130148 | FUEL CELL STACK ASSEMBLY WITH PRESSURE BALANCED LOAD MECHANISM AND ASSEMBLY METHOD - A fuel cell stack assembly includes a fuel cell stack wherein a plurality of fuel cell cassettes is coupled together by a joining material. A spring strap is coupled to the fuel cell stack in a manner effective to apply a first compressive force to the fuel cell stack. A first load distribution plate is located intermediate the fuel cell stack and the spring strap. The first load distribution plate is configured to distribute the first compressive force over the fuel cell stack in a manner effective to normalize the first compressive force on the joining material. A diaphragm is configured to define a cavity and is configured to apply a second compressive force to the fuel cell stack dependent on a cavity pressure of oxidant within the cavity. The cavity pressure is dependent upon an oxidant pressure of oxidant provided to the fuel cell stack. | 05-23-2013 |
20130127562 | SURFACE MOUNTABLE MICROWAVE SIGNAL TRANSITION BLOCK FOR MICROSTRIP TO PERPENDICULAR WAVEGUIDE TRANSITION - A surface mountable transition block for perpendicular transitions between a microstrip or stripline and a waveguide. The transition block configuration allows for a reduction in the overall cost of a microwave circuit assembly because the circuit board to which the transition block is attached can be an FR-4 type circuit board as opposed to more expensive microwave circuit board materials. | 05-23-2013 |
20130120850 | HEADS-UP DISPLAY SYSTEM - A heads-up display system suitable for use in a vehicle. The system includes a projector configured to project a projected image. A faceted reflector is included to overlay a dashboard area of the vehicle and define an array of reflective facets. Each facet is configured to reflect cooperatively a portion of the projected image to form a reflected image directed toward a windshield of the vehicle. A light diffusive layer is included to diffuse the reflected portion of the projected image such that the reflected image can be seen by an occupant of the vehicle as a reflection in the windshield. A light control film interposed between the windshield and the faceted reflector is included to propagate preferentially the projected image and thereby reduce the occurrence of ambient light washout of the reflected image being displayed. | 05-16-2013 |
20130120825 | HEADS-UP DISPLAY SYSTEM UTILIZING CONTROLLED REFLECTIONS FROM A DASHBOARD SURFACE - A heads-up display system is configured for use in a vehicle. The system includes a standard vehicle window (i.e. no special coatings), an image projector, and a vehicle dashboard equipped with a faceted reflective surface. The image projector is configured to project an image onto the faceted reflective surface. The faceted reflective surface is configured to reflect the image from the image projector onto a window surface of the standard vehicle window. The window surface is oriented to reflect the image from the faceted reflective surface toward an occupant. The faceted reflective surface may be disposed within a plurality of troughs separated by a plurality of diffuse reflecting partitions. The plurality of troughs may be configured to shield the occupant from extraneous reflections. The faceted reflective surface may include a plurality of electrically controlled facets. The plurality of electrically controlled reflective facets may be an array of electrowetting cells. | 05-16-2013 |