Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation

Borgwarner Inc.

Continental Automotive Systems Us, Inc.

Rieke Corporation

David VanZuilen

Francois-Xavier Bernard

Rowshan Jahan

Gerard Mouaici

Isabelle McKenzie

Thomas H Nodine

Isabelle Desmier

Ralf Woods

An electrical connector with snap-in compliant arm members, an alignment member and a plurality of pin members for mating with openings on a PCB.

Blind electrical connector to printed circuit board in housing

A calibration structure () for calibrating a flex fuel sensor () for a vehicle is provided. The flex fuel sensor has a first sensor electrode () and a second sensor electrode (). The calibration structure includes a first electrode (), a second electrode () spaced from and electrically insulated from the first electrode, and at least one capacitor (), or at least one resistor (), or at least one combination of a capacitor with a resistor, of a certain value electrically connected with the first and second electrodes. The first electrode () is constructed and arranged to contact the first sensor electrode () and the second electrode () is constructed and arranged to contact the second sensor electrode () to provide a known input value to the flex fuel sensor for calibration of the flex fuel sensor without the use of test liquids.

Calibration structure for flex fuel sensor

Current designs of dispensers often do not allow for proper ventilation. Additionally, current designs often do not permit proper liquid sealing during shipment. The disclosed apparatus can overcome these shortcomings. This foam dispenser comprises a container, a cylinder device, a collar connected to the cylinder device, the collar operably connecting the container with the cylinder device, and a seal located on the collar, wherein the seal expands under compression to a locked position to create an airtight and liquid tight seal substantially preventing air and liquid from entering or exiting the cylinder device.

Up-lock seal for dispenser pump

A fuel sensor () includes a single capacitor () that operates in two different modes to obtain capacitance and conductance information when a fuel mixture flows between the electrodes () of the capacitor. Two different oscillators () are selectively used to obtain the conductance and capacitance information. In a disclosed embodiment, a capacitor includes an outer electrode () that is received around an inner electrode () such that there is a spacing between the electrodes through which the fuel flows. The fuel acts as a dielectric of the capacitor allowing the conductance and capacitance measurements to be made. The inventive fuel sensor can be readily incorporated into a variety of locations within a vehicle fuel supply system depending on the needs of a particular situation. In one example, a portion of the fuel rail () is used as one of the electrodes of the capacitor.

Fuel sensor

A sensor () includes a single capacitor () that operates in two different modes to obtain capacitance and conductance information when a mixture flows between the electrodes () of the capacitor. The inventive sensor is particularly well-suited for making methanol content determinations within a mixture used to provide hydrogen to supply a fuel cell. Two different oscillators () are selectively used to obtain the conductance and capacitance information. In a disclosed embodiment, a capacitor includes an outer electrode () that is received around an inner electrode () such that there is a spacing between the electrodes through which the mixture flows. The mixture acts as a dielectric of the capacitor allowing the conductance and capacitance measurements to be made. The example sensor includes a temperature sensor () conveniently supported within the inner electrode ().

Fuel cell mixture sensor

The present invention provides a fluid level sensing switch for use with a device having a fluid reservoir. The switch is float activated and closes a circuit so as to change an operating parameter in the event that the volume of fluid in the reservoir falls below a predetermined level. Once the volume of fluid is restored to a predetermined safe level, the switch automatically resets to an open position to permit normal operation of device.

Growing community of inventors

Fremont, IN, United States of America

David VanZuilen