Abstract: A suspension system for a motor vehicle wherein an upper control arm on each side of the vehicle is located in an aperture within the vehicle frame and operably connected to a front axle. Each upper control arm is pivotably connected to the frame and is capable of rotating into the aperture in response to a force generated by contact of its respective wheel with an irregularity in the road surface during the operation of the motor vehicle. As the upper control arms are placed within the frame rails, interference between the control arms and other components located in the engine compartment is substantially eliminated. The substantial elimination of this interference reduces the design effort and lead time associated with the development of the vehicle frame and suspension system as well as integrating the engine into the vehicle. The ability to assemble and service the vehicle are likewise improved through the elimination of the entanglement between suspension components and engine components.

Abstract: A process control interface system having a network of distributed triply redundant input/output field computer units. The system includes a plurality of self-contained remotely located triply redundant field computer units connected to decision making redundant process control computers through a bi-directional communication network having at least two concurrently active communication channels. Each of the field computer units include a set of at least redundant field computers for arbitrating both input and output signals. The input arbitration method enables a plurality of selectable default input conditions, such as select HIGH and select LOW, in the event that a majority agreement cannot be reached among valid input signals. The output arbitration method includes a plurality of selectable default output conditions, such as fail SAFE and fail LAST. Each of the default input and output conditions may be rapidly adjusted through software selection.

Abstract: A model predictive controller for a process control system which includes a real-time executive sequencer and an interactive modeler. The interactive modeler includes both a process model and an independent disturbance model. The process model represents the dynamic behavior of the physical process, while the disturbance model represents current and future deviations from the process model. The interactive modeler estimates current process states from the process model and input data received from the executive sequencer. The executive sequencer then projects a set of future process parameter values, which are sought to be controlled, over a predetermined control horizon. The interactive modeler then solves a set of equations as to how the physical process will react to control changes in order to determine an optimized set of control changes. As a result, the process control system will be able to accurately track a predetermined set-point profile in the most effective and cost efficient manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing unauthorized use of motor vehicle includes a shield attachable to an engine control module. The shield is attached to an underside of the engine control module and includes a top plate which extends immediately above a plurality of electrical connectors and prevents unauthorized withdrawal of the electrical connectors. The apparatus further includes a retaining bracket which cooperates with the shield to define a plurality of channels for receiving wire harnesses associated with the electrical connectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively mounting a hard top and a soft top to a motor vehicle includes a retainer member which mounts to an upper surface of a body side panel. The retainer element preferably includes an intermediate portion fixedly attached to the body side panel. An upper side of the intermediate portion is adapted to support the hard top. An outboard flange downwardly extends from the intermediate portion and terminates in an inner curled edge. The inner curled edge is spaced apart from the body side panel.

Abstract: A liftplate for use in a window mounting assembly includes a first plate member, a second plate member and a third plate member. The first plate member has two spaced apart apertures and is secured to a window regulator. The apertures in the first plate member each have a sleeve molded therein. Each sleeve is attached to the first plate member through a frangible connection which is broken upon insertion of a fastener in an associated one of the apertures of the first plate member. The second plate member has an aperture which receives one of the fasteners. The third plate member has an aperture which receives the other of the fasteners. The second and third plate members are disposed opposite the first plate member and are joined to the first plate member to define a channel for receiving a sheet of window glass.

Abstract: A system for stowing a spare tire on the exterior of a sport utility vehicle includes a carrier that holds the spare tire and that can pivoted between a highway configuration, wherein the spare tire is positioned beneath the chassis to thereby provide unimpeded access to the vehicle's rear lift door, and an off-road configuration, wherein the tire is positioned against the rear lift door, to thereby provide ample clearance beneath the vehicle.

Abstract: A grommet includes a hollow cylindrical body that is positionable in a bore hole of a transmission case and into which an oil fill tube can be advanced, to thereby establish a seal between the tube and case. The grommet defines an open top end, and a scored membrane is formed integrally with the body to cover the top end. Consequently, the grommet can be positioned in the bore hole to cover the bore hole prior to engaging the oil fill tube with the bore hole, thereby permitting pressure testing of the transmission case and preventing contaminants from entering the case. The oil fill tube can then be advanced through the membrane and into the bore hole.

Abstract: A cross-car beam extends laterally between a pair of upwardly directed B-pillars on opposite sides of a vehicle passenger compartment and is structurally and functionally interconnected with each of the B-pillars. The cross-car beam provides the sole support for the rearward bottom portion of the front seat assemblies and preferably the hand brake, thus eliminating the need for stanchions supporting these assemblies. The cross-car beam is spaced above the floor of the passenger compartment and has a rearwardly and upwardly sloped portion of its lower surface, thus providing greatly enhanced foot space for rear seat passengers. In an alternate embodiment, the cross-car beam protrudes into at least a portion of each B-pillar assembly and can also be used to temporarily locate and support the body side aperture assembly prior to its being welded in its final location on the assembly line.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching an item to a floor comprising an anchor bolt, an anchor nut, and an annular collar comprising an upper annular outer ring, a lower annular ring, and an annular side wall connecting the rings, the annular collar held in place over the anchor nut below the floor by a retaining nut.

Abstract: A method for temporarily connecting a body half and a door half of a hinge, said body half of said hinge including connecting means for receiving said door half of said hinge including connecting means for receiving the body half, one of said connecting means including a portion having disposed proximate the end thereof at least one groove for receiving a resilient flexible retainer;said method including the steps of;(a) fastening the hinge when assembled to a vehicle and a door so as to fasten the door with the vehicle temporarily;(b) painting the vehicle and door together while temporarily connected;(c) subjecting the vehicle and door and the resilient flexible retainer to heat such as that found in a curing process for a painting process for vehicles;(d) separating said body and door halves of said hinge by removing the retainer and separating said halves;(e) separating said door from said vehicle by separating the body half and the door half of said hinges.

Abstract: An aluminum extruded node for interconnecting a longitudinal frame rail and a lateral frame member of a vehicle frame. The extruded node having a pair of longitudinal side walls received within an interior volume defined by the longitudinal frame rail and a pair of transverse side walls received within an interior volume defined by the lateral frame member. Interior wall portions extend between each of the pairs of longitudinal and transverse side walls to define closed cells for increasing the stiffness and structural integrity of the node. The longitudinal frame rail is peripherally welded around an end thereof to the node. The lateral frame member is peripherally welded around an end thereof to the node.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a soft top to a motor vehicle includes a retainer member for engaging a channel located in a structural element attached to the motor vehicle. In one application, the structural element is a removable door frame having a molded-in channel which opens downwardly and is disposed above a door opening. The retainer member includes a first flange adapted to fixedly attach to a lateral edge of the top section of the soft top. The retainer member further includes a second flange for engaging the molded-in channel in an interference fit. The first flange laterally extends beyond the door of the vehicle to thereby shingle the door from condensation and rain which may gather on the soft top. In an alternative embodiment, the retainer member is configured to form a trough for carrying the condensation and rain rearward away from the door.

Abstract: A seat assembly with a center adjustable height armrest includes a generally horizontal seat portion and a generally upright back portion. The back portion has a pair of outer seat backs spaced transversely and a center seat back disposed between the outer seat backs aligned in a row. The center seat back has an upright position aligned with the outer seat backs and a folded down position at an angle to the outer seat backs. The folded center seat back provides an armrest having an adjustable height of either one of a load floor height and an ergonomic armrest height.

Abstract: A release mechanism for a vehicle door latch control assembly generally includes a base member, a camming member, and an actuator member. The base member is mounted to a frame of a sliding door. The actuator member is mounted to the base member for movement between first and second positions. The camming member includes first and second camming portions and is pivotally attached to the base member for rotation about a fixed axis in response to displacement of the actuator member. The first camming portion of the camming member is cooperatively arranged with the actuator member such that displacement of the actuator member rotates the camming member about its pivot axis. The second camming portion is operatively arranged with a cable which is connected to a latch control assembly for unlatching the door.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting an article such as a child seat tether to a vehicle floor comprising a mounting bar, first and second mounting brackets connected to the mounting bar, the brackets capable of connecting to preexisting seat attachment points of a vehicle floor, a plurality of tether attachment points on the mounting bar, and a mounting bar attachable to any of the attachment points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the reducing the lift and drag of a soft top passenger vehicle having a soft top having first and second edges in which the point at which flow over the vehicle separates is determined by conventional techniques and an aerodynamic deflector is provided and attached to the roof of the vehicle forward of the separation point at a position that maximizes aerodynamic efficiency.

Abstract: A dynamic impact energy absorbing assembly for a motor vehicle includes an inner panel, an outer panel joined to the inner panel in spaced relation to define a cavity therebetween, and an energy management panel disposed in the cavity to absorb energy of an impact on the outer panel.

Abstract: A removable storage system is disclosed having a storage receptacle, a plurality of tabs connected to the receptacle, and a plurality of receiving openings integral with an interior member of a vehicle for receiving the tabs and retaining the receptacle. The tabs further may consist of grooves culminating in channels.

Abstract: A link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension. The link comprises a lower link member, a central link member, and an upper link member. The lower link member comprises a lower portion, a middle portion, and an upper portion, the middle portion comprising a frusto-conical member defining a cylindrical bore which receives a plurality of annular disk springs. The disks are removable and give the link a progressive spring characteristic.