Abstract: A wheel suspension attachment assembly for use in combination with a vehicle having several cooperating structural frame members 28, 30 and including several members 20-26 which selectively, respectively, and movably perforate and protrude from the members 28, 30 and which selectively and movably receive a unique one of the control arms 48, 49 of one of several wheel assemblies 50-56 and which cooperatively and stiffly attach the several wheel assemblies 50-56 to the structural frame members 28,30.

Abstract: A fuel vapor leak detection assembly (10) having a pressure sensor (20) which is adapted to be selectively and operatively positioned within a fuel fill vent hose (22) in a non-on-board refueling vapor recovery system and which detects fuel vapor leaks. The pressure sensor (20) includes a generally rectangular housing portion (44) and a terminal portion (42) which communicatively connects the sensor (20) to a controller. A conventional pressure sensing device (56) is contained within housing portion (44). Sensor (20) further includes two opposed, generally hollow vent line connection ends or portions (46), (48) which connect to vent hose (22). Portions (44), (46), and (48) cooperatively form a generally cylindrical pressure sensing passageway (54) in which pressure sensing device (56) resides, thereby allowing the device (56) to accurately sense and measure the value or amount of fuel vapor pressure traveling through passageway (54).

Abstract: A gauge assembly 10 having improved accuracy due to its correction of certain errors. The assembly 10 includes a controller 12 which is communicatively coupled to at least one sensor 14 and a gauge driver 16 by use of a communications path or bus 28. Gauge driver 16 selectively and rotatably moves a staff 18 and pointer 26 within a gauge display 22 in response to the certain error compensated data received from controller 12.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a part, such as a spool valve, into a bore of a body, such as a transmission valve body. The apparatus includes a gripper tool that holds the part by use of a light vacuum pressure. The gripper tool is attached to a robotic arm that aligns the part with the bore. Once the part is aligned with the bore, a vacuum pressure is created within the bore that is effective to pull the part from the gripper tool and into the bore.

Abstract: A vehicle trunk detection and release system 10 which detects the presence of an individual within a trunk 14 and which releases the trunk 14, energizes the horn 16, and/or activates the headlights 17 upon such a detection. The system 10 further includes an illuminated touch pad 28 which opens the trunk 14 upon being touched.

Abstract: A method for controlling a transfer case in a four wheel drive vehicle is provided. The transfer case has a neutral state and a plurality of drive modes. A MSS having a plurality of positions is provided for selecting the drive modes. An upshift relay and a downshift relay energize a motor to effect a shift of the transfer case to the selected drive mode. An encoder detects a value corresponding to the rotational position of the motor. The method senses if the encoder has lost power, and upon sensing the encoder has lost power, compares a current MSS position with a MSS position prior to losing power to the encoder. If the current and prior MSS positions differ, the most recent valid MSS position is determined. Whether the upshift and downshift relays are turned "on" is established. The direction of rotation of the motor is established. The desired motor destination is established.

Abstract: A method for controlling a transfer case in an automatic four-wheel-drive driveline for a motor vehicle includes sensing if the engine is drivably decoupled from the transfer case and setting a first variable to "T" if the engine is decoupled, otherwise setting the variable to "F". The vehicle speed is sensed to determine if the speed is substantially zero and a second variable is set to "T" if the speed is substantially zero, otherwise the second variable is set to "F". Whether the vehicle is braking is sensed, and a third variable is set to "T" if the vehicle is braking, otherwise the third variable is set to "F". If all the first, second and third variables are "T", a shift condition flag is set to "T" to permit a shift of the transfer case through a neutral state, otherwise the shift condition flag is set to "F" and a shift of the transfer case through the neutral state is not permitted.

Abstract: A rotational position sensor assembly (10) includes a wheel (20) having a ferromagnetic hub portion (22) and a resistor support member (24) on which an array of magneto resistor elements (28) are mounted. Surrounding the wheel (20) and rotatable relative to it is a magnetic return element (12) on which are mounted permanent magnets (18). The magnetic field created is tangential to the particular MR element(s) (28) aligned with this field, causing a change in resistance that indicates the relative rotational position of the magnetic return element (12) relative to the wheel (20).

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an electro-hydraulic power assist steering system including a variable-speed electric motor for pumping hydraulic fluid in the system. The method includes monitoring a vehicle steering wheel angle and determining if the vehicle steering wheel angle exceeds a steering travel limit. If the steering travel limit is exceeded, the method reduces a desired motor speed to a predetermined end of travel motor speed until the steering wheel angle drops below the steering travel limit. Accordingly, energy is conserved by reducing the power consumed while the steering system is maintained at its steering travel limit.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the relative effective diameters of the tires and compensating therefor in a vehicle which includes a front driveshaft for transferring motive power to a front set of wheels and a rear driveshaft for transferring motive power to a rear set of wheels, each of the wheels having an effective diameter. Front and rear driveshaft values indicative of the rotational speed of each driveshaft are generated. A difference value indicative of a difference between said front and rear driveshaft values is then generated. A low pass filtered value is generated according to the relationship of Y.sub.1p =(1-.beta.)*U(k)+.beta.*Y.sub.1p (k-1). The low pass filtered value is monitored for a predetermined period of time to determine if one of the wheels has a smaller effective diameter than the other wheels.