Abstract: An apparatus for extruding helical teeth in a gear blank includes a press including a die plate and a die base, the die plate being movable along an axis relative to the die base, the die base supporting the gear blank. A mandrel, aligned with the axis and moveable with the die plate along the axis, includes a surface that includes helical die teeth. A servo motor drives the mandrel in rotation about the axis to the required helix angle as the mandrel moves axially relative to the gear blank.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic forming tool is disclosed in which a membrane is retained between two volumes of liquid that are separated by a membrane. Electrodes are provided with a high voltage impulse to create a shockwave in one of the volumes of fluid that is transferred through the membrane to the other volume of fluid. The shockwave is transmitted to a blank that is formed into a one-sided die. The blank is formed against the forming surface of the die. Air evacuation means are provided to remove air from the upper surface of one or both volumes of liquid.

Abstract: A control system for an automotive vehicle (10) and method for operating the same includes a controller (26) that is used to control the brake system in response to an adaptive brake gain coefficient. The adaptive brake gain coefficient may be used by a safety system so that a desired brake torque is applied to the wheel.

Abstract: A method of using a microscopic digital imaging strain gauge includes the steps of creating a mark pattern on an object surface, positioning an image sensing device over the mark pattern, magnifying the mark pattern with a magnification lens, taking a first magnified image of the mark pattern with the image sensing device, applying a load to the object surface, taking a second magnified image of the mark pattern, and utilizing a processor to calculate the strain as derived from the first and second magnified images.

Abstract: A snap tab fastener connects first and second ventilation system housing members together. The fastener includes a tongue and groove assembly and a tab and loop assembly. The tongue and groove have a bit of flexibility so that an air tight connection is maintained during minor separation of the two. The tab engages the loop to lock the two components together.

Abstract: A tubular coupling is provided having first and second tubular elements. An annular cage is fixedly mounted on the outer surface of a first section of the first tubular element for defining a chamber with the first section for housing a garter spring. The chamber has an annular passage through which a flared end part extending from a first portion of the second tubular element passes during assembly of the first and second tubular elements to permit the garter spring to pass over the flared end part and contract about the first portion for securing the tubular elements in assembly. An expander ring is provided for expanding and centering the garter spring prior to assembly. Further provided are O-rings retained on the outer surface of the first tubular element for sealing the first tubular element to the second tubular element. The O-rings engage with the second tubular element just before the first and second tubular elements are secured in assembly.

Abstract: The oscillatory spring movements of each wheel of a motor vehicle suspension system are damped by a switched reluctance machine which is actively controlled during standard suspension operation to define damping characteristics of the suspension or passively controlled to define a fail-safe damping rate in the event of failure within the system. The switched reluctance machines of a suspension system are selectively connected to standard control circuitry or fault control circuitry by relay contacts. Upon failure within the system, phases of the switched reluctance machines are charged via monopulsers which are controlled in response to rotational positions of the machines such that the machines operate as generators and withdraw energy from the suspension system and pass it to a parallel connected resistor and capacitor.

Abstract: A reversible proportioning valve allows pressure to the rear brake cylinder of a vehicle to follow pressure to the front brake cylinder in a ratioed relationship, when pressure to the front brake cylinder is decreasing. The reversible proportioning valve of the present invention accomplishes this by enabling ratioed pressure between the front and the rear brakes for both increasing and decreasing pressures, resulting in driver controlled modulation of pressure. The reversible proportioning valve uses a stepped piston/cylinder to control pressure without the use of external power.