Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster mechanism for an internal combustion engine, the adjuster having a body having a bore formed therein with a piston slidingly received within the bore. The lash adjuster is in communication with one end of a cam follower that is in communication at its other end with a valve stem. A rotating cam contacts said cam follower to apply force to the piston during a valve lift event. The lash adjuster has a low pressure chamber formed in the piston and a high pressure chamber formed between the bottom of the bore and the bottom of the piston. Engine fluid that is passed to the low pressure chamber is in communication with the high pressure chamber through a valve opening. A mechanism selectively opens or closes the valve opening in response to pressure differences between the low pressure chamber and the high pressure chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster mechanism for an internal combustion engine having a body portion with a bore formed in the body portion having a bottom surface. A plunger having a top surface is slidingly received within the bore of the body portion. The plunger has an internal channel with a bleed hole formed therein connecting the top surface of the plunger to a high pressure chamber formed between the bottom surface of the bore and the bottom of the plunger. The body portion has a valve opening formed therein that is in fluid communication with an engine fluid supply. A check valve mechanism selectively opens and closing the valve opening in response to pressure differences between the engine fluid reservoir and the high pressure chamber. The diameter and length of the bleed hole and the force applied to said top surface of said plunger control the leak down rate of the hydraulic lash adjuster to eliminate lash in the engine valve train components.

Abstract: A system for minimizing lash in the valve components of an internal combustion engine including a lash adjuster assembly with a body having a closed bore formed therein. A piston is slidingly received within the bore. A cam is in communication with one surface of the assembly for imparting motion thereto. The assembly also has a fluid reservoir and chamber formed therewithin. The chamber is formed between the bore bottom surface and the bottom surface of the piston. A valve opening is also formed in the assembly for providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the chamber. A check valve mechanism is in communication with the valve opening for selectively opening and closing the valve opening in response to angular position of the cam.

Abstract: Sound, vibration and motion are sensed within a motor vehicle to detect glass breakage and unauthorized intrusion into the interior or passenger compartment of the vehicle. Sound and vibration sensing are used to detect glass breakage with motion detection by means of radar or microwaves being utilized for intrusion detection to provide reliable recurring entry detection. The system may be operated to activate the motion sensing only after glass breakage is detected to permit persons and pets to occupy a motor vehicle having a security sensor system which is fully armed. Numerical values are assigned to specific physical sounds and vibrations with the resulting totals being compared to a threshold to determine whether glass breakage has occurred.

Abstract: A weatherstrip for a vehicle having a seal gap defined by a door and a door flange surrounding a door opening is provided. The weatherstrip includes a magnet positioned around the door opening in the seal gap such that the door is magnetically secured thereto when the door is closed. The weatherstrip also includes a resilient web having a pocket in which the magnet is mounted and a gripping member having a channel for straddling the door flange. The gripping member has at least one rib on an internal wall of the channel for affixing the gripping member to the door flange. Also, the gripping member is integrally joined to the web to provide a weatherstrip which substantially seals the seal gap when the door is closed.

Abstract: A mass airflow based control system for an internal combustion engine is provided which is capable of inferring cylinder air charge during non-steady state periods of operation of the engine. The control system infers cylinder air charge from values of rotational engine speed, air mass flow inducted into the engine, inlet air temperature, engine coolant temperature, and barometric pressure. The control system employs the inferred cylinder air charge value for air/fuel ratio control.

Abstract: A lamp-within-a-lamp headlamp unit includes an inner lamp body which is adjustably received within a first end of an outer lamp housing. A second end of the outer lamp housing defines a lens through which light is projected from the headlamp unit. The inner lamp body sealably receives a lamp bulb through a bulb access opening in a first end of the lamp body which is accessed through the first end of the outer housing. Light is projected from the second end of the lamp body which can be open if appropriate focusing reflectors are provided adjacent the lamp bulb or closed by an internal lens. An area surrounding the second end of the lamp body is sealed to the outer lamp housing by a flexible inner seal which extends between the lamp body and an inner portion of the outer lamp housing. The flexible inner seal permits the inner lamp body to be adjusted relative to the outer lamp housing which is secured to a motor vehicle for aligning or aiming the light beam projected from the headlamp unit.

Abstract: A method is provided for encapsulating an object with a heat-shrinkable material prior to subjecting the encapsulated object to insert, injection molding. The encapsulation protects the object from thermal damage by preventing contact with the injected polymer. In addition, the encapsulation protects the object from contact by any liquids or other foreign materials which penetrate the molded enclosure.

Abstract: A wave spring is provided for securing a stator in a dynamoelectric machine. The wave spring is disposed on one end of the stator between a support chassis for the stator and the stator, and compressed thereon to secure the stator in a fixed position in the support chassis. The compressed wave spring provides sufficient force to prevent movement of the stator during operation in various environments. In a further aspect of the invention, the opposing surfaces between which the wave spring is compressed include recesses which receive portions of the wave spring. The recesses are offset, and are effective in further inhibiting rotation of the rotor inside the support chassis for the stator, and may also be used for positioning the stator therein.

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 functional, adjustable belt guide for receiving the webbing of a shoulder strap of a vehicle seat belt system is disclosed which adjustably directs the path of a shoulder strap across the body of an occupant of a seat for comfort. The adjustable belt guide includes a guide body mountable to the back portion of a seat, and the webbing may be adjusted laterally in position, inward or outward, relative to a seat, to vary the path of the shoulder strap across the body, enabling the occupant of a seat to vary the path of the shoulder strap to minimize neck chafing and/or shoulder pressure. Also disclosed is a vehicle seat belt system incorporating the functional, adjustable belt guide.

Abstract: A dry-release method for sacrificial layer microstructure fabrication is provided in which a structural layer is anchored to a substrate and deposited on a sacrificial layer located therebetween. Thereafter, holes are etched through the structural layer. Some of the holes are covered with a polymer layer, and portions of the sacrificial layer are then etched through the uncovered holes in the structural layer, creating void areas extending to the substrate. Preferably, the void areas also include undercut areas. The void areas are then filled with a protective polymer layer, creating temporary posts that extend from the surface of the substrate to the structural layer. The sacrificial layer is then removed by means of wet etching. The temporary posts provide support for the structural layer against capillary forces which are created by the evaporation of liquids used in the wet etching process. After wet etching of the sacrificial layer is completed, the temporary posts are removed by a dry etching technique.

Abstract: Spark discharge signals monitored on primary windings of ignition coils of a coil per plug (CPP) ignition system are used to identify which cylinder of a cylinder pair is in compression and which cylinder in a cylinder pair is in exhaust. Once determined, the cylinder pair can be tracked such that the primary windings do not need to be monitored further. In one embodiment of the invention, the duration times of substantially simultaneous spark discharge signals in cylinders of a pair of cylinders are compared to one another. The shorter duration time signal indicates the cylinder in the compression cycle. One cylinder pair may be tested two or more times or one or more additional cylinder pairs may be tested to verify cylinder identification. In a second embodiment of the invention, two or more spark dwell signals are applied to the primary windings of the ignition coils for each spark event of a pair of cylinders.

Abstract: A multiple-reflection, long-path wave transmission device is fabricated from a single crystal silicon plate by micromachining straight walled rectangular cavities into the plate to reflect ultrasonic waves along an extended transmission path defined by the rectangular cavities. An input transducer is coupled to the silicon plate to introduce ultrasonic waves into the plate in response to an input signal. The ultrasonic waves travel in the silicon plate along the transmission path defined by the straight walled reflective cavities. An output transducer is similarly coupled to the silicon plate to receive the ultrasonic waves at the completion of the transmission path and to generate an output signal representative thereof. Additional sloped wall cavities are formed in the silicon plate to border the extended transmission path. The sloped wall cavities prevent cross coupling of waves traveling in different portions of the path and absorb energy traveling in undesired directions and modes.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating hill slope and coefficient of friction for a road surface from vehicle and engine measurements. A first variable related to hill slope and a second variable related to road surface coefficient of friction are generated from the vehicle and engine measurements and may be used in a variety of control applications. The method includes the steps of generating a first variable related to the slope of the hill and a second variable related to the coefficient of friction of the road surface. The hill slope can be determined from the first variable and the coefficient of friction of the road surface can be determined from the second variable. These estimated values can then be used in control applications. The braking and traction control systems of a vehicle respond to a first variable related to hill slope and a second variable related to road surface of coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A two member threaded fastener includes integral ribs and/or locking fingers formed concentrically around threaded portions of the two members which make up each fastener. The ribs and/or locking fingers interferingly interengage one another as the two members are threadedly intermated to either removably or permanently lock the members together as desired for a given application. Preferably, the locking fastener members are formed of a polymeric resin and include concentric annular rings which are spaced from the threaded portions of the fastener members by interconnecting webs and define axially extending ribs. The ribs are rounded and preferably sinusoidal for removably locking fastener members and are serrated for permanently locking fastener members.

Abstract: A fluid direction tube insertion assembly for simultaneously inserting two or more fluid direction tubes into an automobile engine body or part thereof. The fluid direction tube insertion assembly includes at least two thermoplastic fluid direction tubes which preferably have a coefficient of thermal expansion about the same as the automobile engine body or part thereof into which they are to be inserted and a flexible bracket which is sufficiently flexible that it may be flexed during insertion of the fluid direction tubes into corresponding receiving bores in the engine body to provide proper alignment/orientation of the fluid direction tubes with the corresponding receiving bore. The fluid direction tube insertion assembly may be either a one-piece molded one or may be of separately molded fluid direction tubes and a separately molded flexible bracket which are subsequently joined.

Abstract: A ball joint stud assembly comprising a shank having a ball formed at one end thereof, the shank having first and second axially separated surfaces with the first surface, which is located furthest from the ball, having a diameter smaller than the second surface, and the surfaces are separated by a circumferential groove. The assembly also includes a mounting component for receiving and securing at least a portion of the shank therein. The mounting component has (1) a first bore for receiving the shank, (2) a second bore perpendicular to the first bore and intersecting the first bore, and 3) a slot projecting radially from the first bore to an edge of the mounting component such that the slot intersects with the second bore. A clamping bolt is also included in the assembly for reducing the diameters of the first bore and securing the shank therein upon tightening of the clamping bolt.