Abstract:
Method and system for monitoring the operation of a stamping press preferably for forming automobile parts, such as fenders and quarter panels, based on a plurality of features extracted from a press signature. The method includes defining the plurality of features, each feature representing a parameter associated with the process of forming the parts, and operating the stamping press so as to produce a predetermined number of production parts while collecting a production operating signature. The method also includes extracting the feature values from the production operating signature to obtain production feature values, and comparing the production feature values to predetermined operating limits which represent limits within which acceptable parts are formed. Two feature values of particular interest are sheet metal blank thickness and hardening coefficient of the sheet metal which are estimated from data obtained from at least two punch locations.
Abstract:
A modular automotive fuel pump includes lower and upper housings (12, 26), a motor (64), a rotary pumping element (36), and a combination clearance land and flow guide (42) which determines the axial clearance between the pump impeller (36) and the pump housing (12, 26).
Abstract:
This invention is directed to a method of providing a channeled substrate with a porous washcoat used as a supporting structure for a catalyst. The substrate is coated with a reactive mixture made of components comprising aluminum alkoxide, water, and acid or the alkoxide in an alcohol. The aluminum alkoxide contains hydrolyzable alkoxy groups and has the chemical formula: Al(OR)3, wheere R is an alkyl or branched alkyl group of 3 to 6 carbon atoms. The method also includes drying and calcining the coating to form a η-alumina washcoat.
Abstract:
A speed controller (10) maintains the engine throttle at a desired throttle position based upon an initial throttle position and a speed error signal. The initial throttle position is generated by multiplying vehicle speed by a constant and adding an offset value related to throttle position at idle and speed control slack. The initial throttle position is adaptively updated by subtracting the above product from actual throttle position during speed control operation to learn a new offset value.
Abstract:
A speed control system electronically controls the engine throttle to maintain vehicle speed at a reference speed in response to a control signal. The control signal is generated by multiplying a speed error signal by a gain value. Such gain value is provided with a variable amplitude having a first linear relationship to the error signal which is increased to a second linear relationship having greater sensitivity when the error signal exceeds a preselected amplitude.
Abstract:
A method of operating an automotive type internal combustion engine to improve the efficiency and power, fuel economy, and emission control is obtained by phase shifting of both the intake and exhaust valve timing schedules or events, couples with the use of reed valves in each intake port to restrict the backfill of exhaust gases into the intake port, and essentially unthrottled operation except where necessary to maintain engine stability, the reed valves also providing for a controlled internal EGR system. The phase shifting and use of intake reed valves will optimise the intake and exhaust event timing at the four major engine operating conditions of idle speed, part load, and wide open throttle low speed and high speed operation.
Abstract:
A vehicle security system, comprises a coded key (10), a reader (12) for reading the code of the key (10) and generating an encoded electrical signal, a data transfer bus (14) connected to the reader, and a plurality of units (16, 18, 20) connected to the data transfer bus (14) and rendered operative only upon receipt of a predetermined valid code from the reader. Each unit (16, 18, 20) is arranged upon receiving an invalid code to transmit an error code over the data transfer bus (14) to the reader (12) or to other units connected to the bus, and upon detection of an error code on the bus from at least selected ones of the units (16, 18, 20), other units (16, 18, 20) connected to the bus are rendered inoperative even if the latter units had received valid codes.
Abstract:
A solar control plastic glazing, comprising a plastic matrix having a plurality of metal particles homogeneously dispersed therein, is prepared by depositing a thin metal film onto the surface of a plastic sheet, heating the plastic sheet above its softening temperature, deforming the sheet to cause the metal film to disintegrate into metal particles, and mixing the metal particles and plastic to form a composite.
Abstract:
Method of and system for monitoring the operation of a stamping press including a punch and a die for forming parts from a blank based on processed punch tonnages measurements at predetermined locations in the working stroke. The method includes selecting at least two punch locations at which a press variable measurement will be made and operating the stamping press so as to produce production parts to measure a production press operating variable at the locations for each production part produced. The method also includes processing the production press operating variables to obtain production operating parameters and comparing the production operating parameters to predetermined operating limits representing limits within which the variation in blank thickness and work hardening coefficient of the sheet metal are in control and acceptable stampings are being produced.