Abstract: A novel apparatus for compressing viscous material through openings in a stencil is disclosed. The novel apparatus has a compression head cap which provides a contained environment to direct and to aid the flow of pressurized viscous material through the openings in the stencil.

Abstract: A method for designing a HVAC air handling assembly for a climate control system on a vehicle includes the step of selecting an architecture for the HVAC air handling assembly from a library stored in a memory of a computer system and selecting a HVAC component part from the library. The method also includes the step of generating a HVAC design using the HVAC architecture and the HVAC component part, determining if the HVAC design meets a predetermined criteria, and regenerating the HVAC design if the predetermined criteria is not met.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wholly blow molded light weight bumper system which provides a double walled vertical blow rib for mounting the bumper to a vehicle and a method for making the same. A first surface projects from one of the molds and is perpendicular to the first and second mold halves. In association with the first surface a second surface is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. To create the vertical rib the second surface is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. The second surface thereby pinching the inflated thermoplastic material between the first surface creating a double walled vertical rib substantially perpendicular to the parting line.

Abstract: A method of knowledge-based engineering cost and weight estimation of an HVAC air-handling assembly for a climate control system on a vehicle includes the steps of selecting a parametric model of an HVAC air-handling assembly design using a knowledge-based engineering library stored in a memory of a computer system. The method also includes the steps of selecting a component part from the parametric model of the HVAC air-handling assembly, determining a cost estimate of the component part using the knowledge-based engineering library and using a summation of the component part cost as the cost estimate of the HVAC air-handling assembly. The method further includes the steps of determining a weight estimate of the component part using the knowledge-based engineering library and using a summation of the component part weight as the weight estimate of the HVAC air-handling assembly. The method further includes the steps of using the cost and weight estimate in the HVAC air-handling assembly design.

Abstract: A method of knowledge-based engineering design of an instrument panel for a vehicle includes the steps of defining a parameter of the instrument panel using a knowledge-based engineering library stored in a memory of a computer system, generating a model of the instrument panel based on the parameter and analyzing the model of the instrument panel. The method also includes the steps of comparing a result of the analysis of the model of the instrument panel to a predetermined criteria from the knowledge-based engineering library, and varying the parameter so that the model of the instrument panel meets the predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A cruise control has a throttle controller for maintaining the speed of a vehicle at a desired speed. The cruise control can operate in a conventional cruise mode and a fuel economy cruise mode. When in the fuel economy cruise mode, the throttle is held at a fixed position as the vehicle travels within a prescribed range of speeds from the desired speed. The throttle remains fixed until an exit condition occurs or acceleration/deceleration input is supplied at which point the cruise control provides throttle adjustment at less than normal rates.

Abstract: An evaporator and method of making same includes a first end tank, a second end tank spaced from and opposing the first end tank, and a plurality of extruded fluid carrying tubes extending between and in fluid communication with the first end tank and the second end tank. The first end tank and the second end tank are formed as stampings.

Abstract: An air induction filter assembly includes a housing and a plurality of filter layers disposed in the housing. One of the filter layers is a carbon impregnated polyurethane foam layer to remove residual hydrocarbon (HC) vapors diffusing through an air inlet to the filter.

Abstract: A method of thermal management for a thermal management system in a vehicle includes the steps of selecting a thermal management function. The method also includes the steps of adjusting a temperature within the thermal management system using the thermal management function and using the adjusted temperature within the thermal management system to control a temperature within an occupant compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tube and turbulator and method of making the same for a heat exchanger including a base, a top spaced from and opposing the base, a first side interposed between the base and the top along one side thereof, and a second side interposed between the base and the top along another side thereof. The base, top, first side and second side form a channel. The second side is triple hemmed such that ends of the base and the top are disposed within the channel. A flat turbulator may be disposed inside the tube and includes a base extending laterally and longitudinally in a strip. The flat turbulator also includes a plurality of corrugations spaced laterally along the base and extending longitudinally and generally perpendicular to the base in an alternating manner. The corrugations are rolled in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the strip.

Abstract: A method of making a continuous corrugated heat exchanger includes stamping a plurality of contiguous refrigerant plates joined together by a plurality of tabs. The method includes the steps of stamping at least a first and last one of the refrigerant plates flat to form end sheets. The method further includes the steps of bending the refrigerant plates to form a stack and bending the end sheets over the refrigerant plates at a top and bottom of the stack.

Abstract: A climate control system includes an electromagnetic compressor that receives a noble gas in a first state and compresses the gas to a second state without a change in phase. The climate control system also includes a gas cooler operatively connected to the electromagnetic compressor, such that the gas cooler receives the gas in the second state and cools the gas to a third state without a change of phase. The climate control system further includes a power generator operatively connected to said gas cooler, such that the power generator receives the gas in the third state and decreases a pressure and an enthalpy of the gas without changing phase to a fourth state. The climate control system still further includes a cooler core operatively connected to the power generator, such that the cooler core receives the gas in the fourth state and air to be cooled, and operatively extracts heat from the air and returns the gas without changing phase to the first state.

Abstract: Positioning of sensitive electronics near the engine block is accomplished through the use of a heat shield providing for removal or diversion of transmitted heat from the block to the electronics through the use of a self-contained or externally circulated coolant fluid. Unlike conventional coolant channels in an engine block, the heat shield is not intended to cool the engine block and thus may be more compact insofar as it deals with lesser heat flux.

Abstract: A multi-zone temperature control system for an HVAC air-handling assembly in a climate control system on a vehicle includes a cold air supply duct and a hot air supply duct operatively coupled to the cold air supply duct. The multi-zone temperature control system also includes a rear air duct operatively coupled to the hot air supply duct and a temperature blend door disposed within the hot air supply duct to adjust a temperature of air flowing through the rear air duct into the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of producing a partially covered panel comprising a series of manufacturing steps. A covering is formed to have a perimeter portion. The covering is generally formed using a thermoforming operation. The perimeter portion is formed into a flange-shape. A mold movable between open and closed position is moved to an open position. The mold includes a first and second surface. The covering is placed juxtaposed the first surface. A retainer is extended to retain the covering in position prior to and during the molding operation. The retainer engages the perimeter flange portion of the covering. The mold is moved to the closed position. The retainer, covering and first surface define a first cavity section. A first quantity of molten plastic is injected under pressure into this first cavity section. The molten plastic pushes the flange portion against the retainer and the retainer prevents the seepage of plastic between the first surface and the covering.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for vehicles including a damper door which is normally maintained in a position to permit outside air to circulate through the system to militate against the retention moisture and thereby discourage microbial growth.

Abstract: In an adaptive vehicle speed control system, a method and system for controlling the speed of the vehicle while the vehicle is traversing a curved path. The method and system include determining a yaw acceleration of the vehicle, and determining a maximum allowed speed of the vehicle on the curved path based on the yaw acceleration. The method and system also include limiting the speed of the vehicle on the curved path to a value no greater than the maximum allowed vehicle speed.

Abstract: A continuous combination fin for a heat exchanger includes a base wall having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The continuous combination fin also includes a plurality of entrance louvers in the first portion extending outwardly at a predetermined angle in a first direction from the base wall. The continuous combination fin includes a plurality of exit louvers in the third portion extending outwardly at a predetermined angle in a second direction from the base wall reversed from the first direction. The continuous combination fin further includes a plurality of drainage louvers in one of the first portion and the second portion and the third portion that are off-set relative to each other such that air flows through the entrance louvers and exit louvers and water drains through the drainage louvers.

Abstract: A variable displacement swash plate type compressor which incorporates a lubrication passage formed in the drive shaft, wherein the lubrication passage provides fluid communication between a discharge chamber and a crank chamber. The lubrication passage maximizes the low of refrigerant gas and lubricating oil to the crank chamber under all operating conditions providing cooling and lubrication to the internal moving components in the crank chamber. The lubrication passage facilitates the efficient flow of lubricating oil from the discharge chamber to the crank chamber.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch (110) for an air conditioning compressor includes a generally cylindrical pulley (111) rotatably mounted on a comressor housing (116) and having an annular friction surface (120a, 120b) in a cavity (120). A driven member (112) is mounted on a compressor shaft (113) and has a leg (118, 119) with an annular friction surface (118a, 118b, 119a, 119b) positioned radially adjacent the cavity friction surface to form an annular space (120c, 120f) therebetween. A quantity of flowable magnetic material (127) is provided in the annular space and a magnetic coil (124) is fixed on the housing adjacent thereto. When electrical power is applied to the magnetic coil (124), magnetic flux is generated in the annular space (120c, 120f) polarizing the magnetic material and frictionally coupling the friction surfaces to cause the pulley (111) to rotate the driven member (112).