Abstract: A double-acting spring in a four-speed automatic transmission to locate and return a clutch apply piston in a non-applied position between a plurality of clutch assemblies.

Abstract: A method of reverse clutch operation prevents excessive wear of the reverse clutch in a four-speed automatic transmission by venting one clutch, filling the reverse clutch and applying it, and filling and reapplying the one clutch.

Abstract: A method of adaptively scheduling a shift or inhibiting a shift until engine speed is at least equal to or greater than the output speed of the target gear which will prevent any negative torque, and will eliminate any "clunk" in the drivetrain in an automatic transmission system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shipping rack including a dunnage bar locking mechanism for removably securing a dunnage bar between the end walls of the shipping rack. The mechanism comprises a housing secured to one end wall. A piston element is mounted within the housing for reciprocal movement. The piston element is removably secured to one end of a dunnage bar. A handle is pivotally mounted to the housing. The handle has an open position to move the piston element toward the end of the dunnage bar and a closed position to move the piston element away from the end of the dunnage bar. A means interconnects the handle and the piston element for allowing relative movement between the piston element and handle when the handle is in the closed position as a consequence of the dunnage bar being impacted by an external force.

Abstract: A stator winding assembly for a dual purpose alternator starter for an automotive vehicle designed to be positioned between the engine and transmission. The stationary ironless stator assembly has flat copper windings embedded in an insulation matrix. These windings undulate from the perimeter of the disc towards the interior of the disc as each winding forms a single pass around the ring shaped disc. Each winding has a plurality of outwardly directed tabs spaced apart. These tabs are connected to adjacent winding tabs so as to reduce overall winding resistance.

Abstract: A park locking mechanism for a four-speed automatic transmission in which the rollers have oversized bores to reduce the reaction loads transmitted to the carrier pins so as to increase the service life of the carrier pins and rollers.

Abstract: A multiplex system for addressing, commanding and monitoring the status of a plurality of electrical devices disposed throughout a motor vehicle. A dual-duty cycle type voltage waveform generated by a microcomputer provides a series of address information signals for enabling individual dual controllers connected to a bi-directional single wire bus coupled at one end to a driver and receiver circuit of the microcomputer. After the individual dual controller is addressed, another portion of the waveform enable the addressed controller to use a voltage signal to operate one of the connected pair of elements. Then, another portion of the waveform provides a binary bit used by the addressed controller for establishing the polarity of the command voltage to turn ON and OFF the addressed control element. Circuit within the addressed controller provide current signals indicative of the status of the commanded element.

Abstract: A front transaxle for an all-wheel drive motor vehicle wherein the housing of an interaxle differential is operatively connected to a shiftable transmission and, via a tubular shaft, drives one bevel gear of an angle drive. The other angle drive bevel gear is operatively connected to a longitudinal propeller shaft for driving the rear axle. One front wheel drive shaft extends from the interaxle differential through the tubular shaft. The housing of the angle drive is connected by a flanged joint to the transmission outer housing. The arrangement permits the differential and angle drive subassemblies to be manufactured and tested at different locations while preventing the mixing of lubricants between the two subassemblies upon their assembly into the transaxle.

Abstract: A valve assembly in a fluid system of a vehicle transmission directs fluid flow from a fluid source to at least one fluid actuated device. The assembly includes a first solenoid-actuated valve for directing fluid flow to a first fluid actuated device and a second solenoid-actuated valve for directing fluid flow to the first fluid actuated device. A manually actuated manual valve in the transmission is moveable for directing fluid flow from a fluid source to either the first or second solenoid-actuated valves in the hydraulic circuit, when the manual valve is actuated, which permits the vehicle to operate in various gears or operating modes as desired.

Abstract: A gas flow control valve for engine crankcase emissions includes an enclosure and a hollow valve element which is supported on a rod to permit sliding movements in response to a balance of forces produced by gas pressure and a closing spring located within the hollow control valve element. Vanes straighten gas flow to prevent oscillation and rotation of the valve element.

Abstract: A method of controlling the speed change of a kickdown shift for an electronic automatic transmission system by predicting how much time remains to fill the apply element after having achieved a predetermined target speed for the turbine of the torque converter.

Abstract: A multiplex system for addressing, commanding and monitoring the status of a plurality of electrical devices disposed throughout a motor vehicle. A dual-duty cycle type voltage waveform generated by a microcomputer provides a polling list of address information address signals for enabling individual controllers connected to a bi-directional single wire bus coupled at one end to a driver and receiver circuit of the microcomputer. After the individual controller is addressed, another portion of the waveform enable the addressed controller to use a voltage signal to operate one of the connected group of elements. Then, another portion of the waveform provides a binary bit used by the addressed controller for establishing the polarity of the command voltage to turn ON and OFF the addressed control element. Circuit within the addressed controller provide current signals indicative of the status of the commanded element.

Abstract: A throttle body defining a passageway and including a throttle valve formed by a pivoting plate is profiled to include a venturi nozzle whose converging wall lies adjacent the path of the plate periphery. The radius, and other characteristics of the converging wall reduces the change of flow rate throughout the low range of throttle travel to reduce sensitivity to throttle actuator position. Furthermore, the venturi nozzle profile is configured in accordance with standard engineering characteristics to avoid pressure differential which restricts air flow rate through the passage and maintains a high maximum flow rate through the throttle passage. Moreover, the profile can be formed by simple mold parts or simple machining apparatus for ease of construction.

Abstract: A gas flow control valve for engine crankcase emissions includes an enclosure and a hollow valve element which is supported on a rod to permit sliding movements in response to a balance of forces produced by gas pressure and a closing spring located within the hollow control valve element. Vanes straighten gas flow to prevent oscillation and rotation of the valve element.

Abstract: Speed error is calculated by finding the difference between set speed and vehicle speed and then filtering the result. During the calculation, cable length must be compensated for in the vehicle electronic speed control system. This compensation enables a more accurate control of the electronic speed control system.

Abstract: A chassis frame crossbeam assembly for a four wheel drive motor vehicle comprising a lower crossmember and an upper bridge member fixed thereon. The crossmember intermediate portion being downwardly depressed formed with a thinned valley section. The bridge member having a hollow-section including an intermediate bifurcated portion in the form of fore and aft upwardly arched branch sections with end extensions welded on either side of the crossmember thinned valley section. The vertically opposed bridge member branch sections and crossmember depression combine to define a through passage for a longitudinal drive shaft for driving the rear wheels. The bridge member branch sections define a free open channel therebetween adapted to receive a transverse tube portion of the steering assembly therethrough arranged with its principal axis orthogonal to the principal axis of the subjacent longitudinal drive shaft.

Abstract: A single bolt hold-down bearing retainer device for a bearing assembly nested in a circular cavity of a cast housing. The retainer is in the form of a plate-like device having two adjacent linear edges intersecting at a radiused juncture defining an obtuse included angle. Each of the edges is formed with an upwardly angled locating tab extending in opposed relation to an associated housing wall portion. An attachment slot is provided in the retainer device intermediate the radiused juncture and a concave annular edge with the slot principal axis disposed bisecting the included angle. The free end of each tab contacting its associated opposed wall portion whereby the slot is adjustably aligned with a subjacent borehole. Upon a single bolt threadably engaging the housing borehold the bearing retainer is secured thereon against rotation while its arcuate concave edge is concentrically disposed on a sector of the thrust collar releasably securing the bearing assembly in the cavity.

Abstract: A circuit for throttle position sensor data shared between controller with dissimilar grounds and to provide reading the output of the throttle position sensor with one of the controllers by referencing the output to the ground of that controller to generate an absolute throttle position sensor reading; and reading the output of the throttle position sensor with another controller via a differential amplifier to generate a relative throttle position sensor reading.

Abstract: For use with a liquid cooled engine with a freeze plug opening, a heater assembly with a resistance type heating element supported in the interior of a generally cup-shaped housing with an open end positioned over the freeze plug opening.

Abstract: A transfer case for selectively providing four-wheel drive for a motor vehicle comprises a first clutch for shifting the input torque to and between a high speed power path, a low speed power path and a neutral position, as well as a second clutch for selectively engaging first and second output shafts for connection with the low and high speed power paths. Each clutch includes a slidable collar which is aligned with and slidable along the axis of the input shaft of the transfer case. Preferably, a single selector is used to shift the first and second clutch collars to provide the transfer case with four operating modes: a neutral position in which the input shaft is disengaged from the first and second output shafts, a two-wheel drive high speed output, a four-wheel drive high speed output and a four wheel drive low speed output.