Abstract: An oscillator circuit having an expanded operating range includes an amplifier portion amplifying an oscillating signal. A gain controlling portion controls the gain of the amplified oscillating signal. A switching circuit electrically connected across the gain controlling portion provides a low impedance electrical path in parallel with the gain controlling portion in response to a switch input signal. The switching circuit further includes a switch signal generator portion producing the switch input signal to switch the switching circuit ON or OFF when power supplied to the oscillator circuit reaches a first predetermined voltage level and to switch the switching circuit OFF or ON when power supplied to the oscillator circuit reaches a second predetermined voltage level. In this circuit design, the initiation of an oscillating signal by the oscillator circuit is unaffected by supply voltage variation or, in other words, fluctuation in the power supplied to the oscillator circuit.

Abstract: A locking washer for axles on vehicles that prevents a nut from rotational movement relative to the axle. The locking washer includes a sleeve step having central passage with a non-cylindrical section that is rotationally coupled to the axle. The non-cylindrical section may include polygonal lobes or splines that engage a matching shaped portion on the axle. The washer is engaged directly on the shaped portion of the axle instead of the threaded portion of the axle and thereby reduces manufacturing costs and steps by eliminating machining of the threaded portion. The washer being engaged on the shaped portion prevents any relative movements between the axle and the washer from disturbances such as vibration, impact, and rotation.

Abstract: A differential having a first side gear, a second side gear, and a fastener assembly to restrain the first and second side gears against axial movement. The first and second side gears each include an abutment face and a passage. The fastener assembly includes a bolt and a nut. The bolt has a shaft passing through the passages and a head operatively engaging one of the abutment faces of the side gears. The nut is coupled to the bolt and operatively engages the other abutment face. The invention is also directed to an independent axle differential having a ring gear rotatable about an axis, a geared pinion coupled to rotate with and relative to the ring gear, the first and second side gears and fastener assembly discussed above, and first and second output shafts. The first and second output shafts are disposed in the cavity and coupled to rotate with the first and second side gears, respectively, and each have a shaft end located proximate to one of the bolt head and nut.

Abstract: A method of identifying a radar requiring alignment and of adjusting the alignment of the radar fixed to a mounting assembly. The identification method includes the steps of determining a misalignment threshold, determining the misalignment angle of the radar, and creating an alignment notice if the misalignment angle exceeds the threshold. The mounting assembly for the adjustment method includes a housing and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the housing. The method includes the steps of determining a radar misalignment angle, consulting a mapping table having adjustment mechanism manipulations associated with each of a plurality of radar misalignment angles to identify an appropriate adjustment mechanism manipulation for the misalignment angle, and performing the adjustment mechanism manipulation identified in the mapping table for the determined radar misalignment angle.

Abstract: A block fitting for coupling tubing segments having a pair of seals, one of the seals being a radial seal and the other seal being an axial seal, wherein the fitting militates against leakage during operation of the air conditioning system upon failure of one of the pair of seals.

Abstract: A twisted-louver high performance heat exchanger fin assembly includes a plurality of fin elements each having a louver formed therein. The louvers include first and second portions connected by a twisted portion such that the first and second portions cross in an X-shaped profile.

Abstract: A mechanical seal for providing a seal around the drive shaft of a variable displacement swash plate type compressor used in an air conditioning system for a vehicle comprising a rotating bearing surface, an associated stationary bearing surface and a lubricant embedded in the stationary bearing surface. During operation of the compressor, the rotating bearing surface is caused to move against the stationary bearing surface causing lubricant to be released between the bearing surfaces, thereby providing efficient lubrication of the bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A powertrain thermal management system for a hybrid vehicle having provisions for passenger cabin heating and engine warm up.

Abstract: An optimized CO2 air-conditioning system for a vehicle has individual components designed and/or matched to one another in such a way that if the high pressures in the high-pressure section deviate by up to ±30% from the optimum high pressures, the associated optimum performance figures are reduced by no more than 20%. The individual components include a controllable compressor, a gas cooler, an internal heat exchanger, an evaporator and an accumulator. As a result, a fixed throttle expansion member can be used between the high-pressure and low-pressure sections of the system.

Abstract: A variable displacement swash plate type compressor which incorporates a lubricant pump coupled to one end of the drive shaft of the compressor, wherein the lubricant pump provides positive lubricant flow within the compressor and facilitates the lubrication of compressor components.

Abstract: A flat tube for use in a heat exchanger includes a reversal bend section connected between parallel extending tube sections. The reversal bend section extends from a plane of the tube sections by a distance less than a width of the tube sections. The tube sections can be straight or serpentine. A plurality of the flat tubes can be stacked and connected to collector tubes to form a heat exchanger for use as an evaporator in a vehicle air conditioning system. Corrugated ribs are positioned between adjacent flat tubes for increased heat conduction.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system operated with CO2 for a vehicle has a high-pressure section that is connected to the output of a compressor and includes a gas cooler, a low-pressure section that is connected to the suction side of the compressor and includes an evaporator, and an expansion member connecting the high-pressure section and the low-pressure section. The expansion member has a fixed restrictor with a throttle opening of predetermined length and diameter connected between an inlet from the high-pressure section and an outlet to the low-pressure section whereby under all operating conditions of the system, a pressure of refrigerant in the high-pressure section of the system is limited to values of less than 14 MPa. The restrictor can be connected in parallel with a pressure limiting valve and can include two or more different throttle openings that can be selectively connected for refrigerant flow.

Abstract: A heat exchanger block includes a plurality of block units, located one behind the other, each having a plurality of stacked tube units with tube ducts extending transverse to the block depth and height. The tube ducts are connected at ends to associated collector ducts extending in the block height direction. The tube units can be formed from a multichamber flat tube. At least one collector-duct connection is provided between adjacent block units to form a meandering flow path through the heat exchanger block. The heat exchanger block can be used as an evaporator in a motor vehicle air-conditioning system.

Abstract: A gettering system for a CAB furnace includes a nitrogen gas source to supply a nitrogen gas to a controlled atmosphere brazing (CAB) furnace and an active metal getter source disposed within the CAB furnace and being a sheet to remove oxygen and water vapor in the nitrogen gas, whereby heat exchangers are brazed during a controlled atmosphere brazing (CAB) process in the CAB furnace.

Abstract: The invention is a method of forming a conversion coating on an aluminum surface. According to the method, the aluminum surface is conversion coated by first treating the surface with thermal degreasing or aqueous alkaline degreasing and then contacting the treated surface with an aqueous bath solution of KF. The concentration of KF in the solution is 2.0-25.0 wt. % and the temperature is 90-212° F. for at least 5 seconds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a throttle return spring assembly for use in an electronic throttle unit having a throat and a valve rotatably fixed within the throat to close and open the throat. The throttle return spring assembly includes a shaft extending along a rotation axis and connected to the valve for opening and closing the throat of the throttle. A return spring has a first leg connected to the shaft and a second leg extending axially into an opening of a guide. The guide allows rotation of the return spring about the rotation axis and restricts lateral translation of the return spring. The guide has an arcuate inner radial wall defining a catch projecting radially inward. The return spring is wound by rotating the second leg to follow the arcuate surface and engage the catch. A special winding tool having a radial slot which engages the second leg can be piloted about the end of the shaft to wind the return spring.