Abstract: A quick to connect and quick to disconnect fluid coupling has a clip, a male portion having an annular groove adapted to receive the clip, a female portion, and a sealing element. The female portion has a dual function frustoconical portion adapted to compress the sealing element during joinder of the male portion with the female portion as well as to compress the clip into the annular groove in preparation of separating the male portion from the female portion. Further, a sleeve is slideably placed about the male portion and adapted to capture the clip compressed within the annular groove.

Abstract: A tire pressure detector employs a reduced power consumption mechanism comprising a PLL circuit including a VCO, that is operated in response to the logic states of an input data stream and a power amplifier configured to be externally located to an integrated circuit. The input data stream includes tire pressure information and is configured to be encoded to have multiple logic states. A micro-controller is employed to control the VCO, turning the VCO, and/or the amplifier, on and off for a certain period, according to the pattern of each data bit of the input data stream thus providing reduced current consumption. This tire pressure detector thus embodies an optimized circuit arrangement in terms of power efficiency.

Abstract: The invention is an improved power transmission drive, for an internal combustion engine. The drive is of the type having a flexible link medium for transmitting power between a crankshaft of said internal combustion engine and drive components not associated with a primary purpose of the internal combustion engine. The drive is improved by the inclusion of a drive frame, a camshaft sprocket releasably mounted upon the drive frame, a crankshaft drive-wheel releasably mounted upon the drive frame, an engine accessory mounted upon the drive frame, an accessory drive-wheel mounted upon a shaft of the engine accessory, and the camshaft sprocket, the crankshaft drive-wheel, and the accessory drive-wheel each entrained by the flexible link medium.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling having a clip, a port having an interior annular groove adapted to support the clip, a forward cylinder, a rear cylinder, and a first transition ramp, and defines a port peak distance. The coupling also has a sealing element. Additionally, the coupling also has a stem having a male connection portion including a forward annular seal groove adapted to receive the sealing element, an annular lead-in surface, a leading support cylindrical surface, a following support cylindrical surface, a camming ramp, and defines a stem peak distance. The port has an intermediate cylinder between the forward cylinder and the rear cylinder and has a second transition ramp between the forward cylinder and the intermediate cylinder and the male connection portion has a centering ramp and an intermediate support cylindrical surface between the leading support cylindrical surface and the following support cylindrical surface.

Abstract: The invention is an improved tensioner for tensioning a power transmission belt. It is of the type having a pulley adapted to communicate with a surface of a power transmission belt, an arm supporting the pulley upon which the pulley is rotatably mounted via a pulley bearing, and having a shaft supporting the arm. The shaft is rotatably supported by a pivot bearing. Further, it is of the type having an attachment point for a strut with the strut attached to the attachment point. It is improved by the pulley and the attachment point being laterally offset in relation to the pivot bearing and substantially balanced in terms of parasitic torque across the pivot bearing.

Abstract: The invention is an improved internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, an accessory, a motor/generator, and a belt-drive system. The belt drive systems includes a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, a motor/generator pulley, a belt tensioner, a belt tensioner pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the crankshaft pulley, the accessory pulley, the motor/generator pulley, and the belt tensioner pulley. The belt tensioner pulley contacts the belt at a start-slack-side span. It is improved by the tensioner being asymmetrically biased in a direction tending to cause the power transmission belt to be under tension.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a female coupler selectively interconnected to a male coupler to provide sealing engagement. In one embodiment, the female coupler and the male coupler are secured together by a pressure activated locking assembly which prevents disengagement of the male and female coupling until the internal pressure in the coupling is reduced to a predetermined level.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a belt drive system as a belt tensioner, a first belt tensioner pulley, a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the first belt tensioner, crankshaft, and accessory pulleys. The belt tensioner is of the type that includes an attachment point adapted to be affixed to a stationary point relative to a cylinder block of an engine, a track, and a first carrier mounted in sliding relation with the track with two degrees freedom of movement. The first belt tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted upon the first carrier for engaging the power transmission belt. A resilient member biases the first carrier in longitudinal relation to the track. The tensioner further includes a travel limiting mechanism.

Abstract: A quick to connect and quick to disconnect fluid coupling has a clip, a male portion having an annular groove adapted to receive the clip, a female portion, and a sealing element. It is improved by the female portion having a dual function frustoconical portion adapted to compress the sealing element during joinder of the male portion with the female portion as well as to compress the clip into the annular groove in preparation of separating the male portion from the female portion. Further, a sleeve is slideably placed about the male portion and adapted to capture the clip compressed within the annular groove.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor grommet tool has a U-shaped portion adapted to be inserted between a grommet disposed on the stem of a TPMS sensor and a seat at the base of the stem in which the grommet resides to separate the grommet from the seat for removal of the grommet from the TPMS sensor. The tool might also include an installation opening adapted to be disposed about the stem to guide and/or push a new grommet down the stem and into the seat. The leading edge of the tool, and/or and the U-shaped portion, may be beveled, to facilitate insertion of the U-shaped portion between the grommet and the seat. A flat side or ledge of the U-shaped portion may be adapted to separate the grommet from the seat, such as by levering against the seat to lift the grommet from the seat for removal.

Abstract: The invention is an improved belt tensioner for a belt drive system having a belt tensioner, a first belt tensioner pulley, a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the first belt tensioner, crankshaft, and accessory pulleys. The belt tensioner is of the type that includes an attachment point adapted to be affixed to a stationary point relative to a cylinder block of an engine, a track, and a first carrier mounted in sliding relation with the track with two degrees freedom of movement. The first belt tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted upon the first carrier for engaging the power transmission belt. A resilient member biases the first carrier in longitudinal relation to the track. The improvement comprises the tensioner including a second carrier mounted in sliding relation with the track with two degrees freedom of movement. A second belt tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted upon the second carrier for engaging the power transmission belt.

Abstract: The invention is a precipitation sensor adapted to detect water upon an automotive glass and a method for its use. The precipitation sensor includes an optical emitter and a first mirror surface in optical communication with the optical emitter. The first mirror surface is adapted to reflect and collimate light emission from the optical emitter. The precipitation sensor also includes an optical receiver and a second mirror surface in optical communication with the optical receiver. The second mirror surface is adapted to focus collimated light upon the optical receiver. The precipitation sensor further includes an intermediate reflector in optical communication with the first mirror surface and with the second mirror surface.

Abstract: A remote tire monitor system includes a control unit and a plurality of tire monitors mountable on respective wheels of a vehicle to transmit radio signals to the control unit. The tire monitors each include a pair of motion sensors such as shock sensors and a control circuit configured to determine position information for the respective tire monitor based on first and second shock sensor signals from the pair of shock sensors. The shock sensors produce an output voltage proportional to a change in applied force. Therefore, the offset created by centrifugal force in previously used accelerometers is absent, simplifying design of the tire monitors.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling having a clip, a port having an interior annular groove adapted to support the clip, a forward cylinder, a rear cylinder, and a first transition ramp, and defines a port peak distance. The coupling also has a sealing element. Additionally, the coupling also has a stem having a male connection portion including a forward annular seal groove adapted to receive the sealing element, an annular lead-in surface, a leading support cylindrical surface, a following support cylindrical surface, a camming ramp, and defines a stein peak distance. The port has an intermediate cylinder between the forward cylinder and the rear cylinder and has a second transition ramp between the forward cylinder and the intermediate cylinder and the male connection portion has a centering ramp and an intermediate support cylindrical surface between the leading support cylindrical surface and the following support cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A tire monitor for mounting to a vehicle as part of a remote tire monitoring system includes a tire condition sensor to produce a tire condition signal, a controller coupled to the tire condition sensor to control operation of the tire monitor, and a radio circuit coupled to the controller to transmit radio signals based at least in part on the tire condition signal. A shock sensor is coupled to the controller of the tire monitor to produce a motion signal indicating motion of the tire monitor.

Abstract: An improved tubing bender of the type having a mounting base, a mandrel mounted upon the mounting base and having a tube recess, and a tube retainer mounted upon the mounting base. It is improved by the tube retainer being mounted upon the mounting base by a snap-lock journal.

Abstract: The invention is an improved power transmission drive, for an internal combustion engine. The drive is of the type having a flexible link medium for transmitting power between a crankshaft of said internal combustion engine and drive components not associated with a primary purpose of the internal combustion engine. The drive is improved by the inclusion of a drive frame, a camshaft sprocket releasably mounted upon the drive frame, a crankshaft drive-wheel releasably mounted upon the drive frame, an engine accessory mounted upon the drive frame, an accessory drive-wheel mounted upon a shaft of the engine accessory, and the camshaft sprocket, the crankshaft drive-wheel, and the accessory drive-wheel each entrained by the flexible link medium.