Abstract: An air control module comprises a canister purge valve, a vapor blocking valve, a canister vent valve and a housing, wherein at least a portion of the canister purge valve, the vapor blocking valve, and the canister vent valve are disposed within the housing. The housing may optionally include three ports fluidly coupled to the canister purge valve, the vapor blocking valve, and the canister vent valve respectively. The canister purge valve may be fluidly coupled to an atmospheric vent and an evaporation canister (which may be mechanically coupled to the housing of the air control module) for controlling the passage of fuel vapor from the evaporator canister to an engine. The vapor blocking valve may be fluidly coupled to a fuel tank and the evaporation canister, while the canister vent valve may be fluidly coupled to an engine and the evaporation canister. The housing may optionally include an air filter fluidly coupled to the canister vent valve.

Abstract: A temperature sensor including a housing and a temperature sensing element at least partially disposed in the housing. A particulate media, which may include a blend of differently sized particles, is disposed in the housing and at least partially surrounds the temperature sensing element. The particulate media may entrain oxygen to avoid a reducing atmosphere in said housing.

Abstract: A filtration device for filtering air for use with a fuel vapor recovery system. According to one aspect, the device includes a housing defining a chamber having a rotational axis an upper end and a lower end, a cap closes the housing and includes at least one generally helical passageway helically extending generally toward the lower end of the chamber and includes at least one air inlet. According to another aspect, the device includes a non-circular filter element disposed between an air inlet and an air outlet.

Abstract: A method of sealing a sensor assembly from contaminants including inserting the assembly into an overmold, providing a first stage overmold to cover a first portion of said sensor assembly intended to be external to an associated bore, and providing a second stage overmold to cover a second portion of the assembly intended to be disposed in the associated bore.

Abstract: A vacuum solenoid valve may comprise a valve body defining an interior cavity and include a plurality of ports configured to be in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the valve body. One or more valve seats may be disposed about an opening between at least one of the plurality of ports and the interior cavity. One or more valve members may be configured to be moveably disposed within at least a portion of the interior cavity of the valve body and to sealingly engage with the valve member. Either the valve seat and/or the valve member may comprise a material having a higher resistance to wear and erosion compared to valve body.

Abstract: A dust separation device for separating contaminants from a fluid. The device may include at least one spiral fin disposed in an inlet tube for directing at least a portion of the contaminants in a spiral flow, and a deflector for deflecting at least a portion of the contaminants into a into a collection chamber. A fuel system for an internal combustion engine and a method of separating contaminants from a fluid are also provided.

Abstract: An air control module comprises a canister purge valve, a vapor blocking valve, a canister vent valve and a housing, wherein at least a portion of the canister purge valve, the vapor blocking valve, and the canister vent valve are disposed within the housing. The housing may optionally include three ports fluidly coupled to the canister purge valve, the vapor blocking valve, and the canister vent valve respectively. The canister purge valve may be fluidly coupled to an atmospheric vent and an evaporation canister (which may be mechanically coupled to the housing of the air control module) for controlling the passage of fuel vapor from the evaporator canister to an engine. The vapor blocking valve may be fluidly coupled to a fuel tank and the evaporation canister, while the canister vent valve may be fluidly coupled to an engine and the evaporation canister. The housing may optionally include an air filter fluidly coupled to the canister vent valve.

Abstract: A temperature sensor including a housing and a temperature sensing element at least partially disposed in the housing. A particulate media, which may include a blend of differently sized particles, is disposed in the housing and at least partially surrounds the temperature sensing element. The particulate media may entrain oxygen to avoid a reducing atmosphere in said housing.

Abstract: A solenoid valve 10 is provided generally including a bobbin 12 for supporting a coil 14 and a core 16 located adjacent to the bobbin 12. An armature 18 is movably disposed relative to the core 16. A plunger 24 is coupled to the armature 18 and movable with the armature 18. A seal 26 is coupled to the plunger 24, with the seal 26 movable between an open position and a closed position sealingly engaged with a valve seat 28. The solenoid valve 10 further includes a damper 40 which includes a foam material between a valve seal 26 and a portion of a plunger flange 38. The damper 40 may damp, or cushion, any impact between the valve seal 26 and the valve seat 28.

Abstract: A temperature sensor used to monitor coolant and an automobile coolant system. The temperature sensor includes a one-piece housing having a sensor portion and a connector portion. A sensor assembly, including a sensor having a pair of terminals connected thereto is disposed within the housing. The sensor portion includes a sensor tip having a configuration conducive to improving thermal transfer from the coolant through the sensor tip to the sensor. A thermally conductive material may also be used to improve thermal or heat transfer to the sensor.

Abstract: A cable guide assembly for use in connection with a vehicle sliding door. The cable guide assembly controls the movement of a cable carrier housing an electrical cable. The electrical cable is connected to components inside the sliding door and connected to components outside the sliding door. One end of the cable carrier follows the sliding door as it moves between open and closed position. The cable carrier is substantially maintained within a single plane during movement of the sliding door.

Abstract: A databus multiplexing connection system is disclosed including an electrical connector for multiplexing data including in-line CAN-bus splice connector. The connector includes a 4-way connector body and a secondary lock/bussing assembly. The secondary lock/bussing assembly includes a main body, buss-bars, and one or more optional resistors. The secondary lock/bussing assembly secures terminals inside the connector body, provides an interface for connection of a 2-way mating connector thereto, verifies that the terminals are properly installed (i.e. proper orientation) in the connector body.

Abstract: A door lock actuator including a single non-reversible drive motor for generating step-wise rotation of an output shaft through an indexing assembly which is decoupled from the motor during periods of operation. The indexing assembly includes an index pin plate coupled to a drive gear for rotation therewith. The plate includes a plurality of spaced pins which are positioned to contact a rotating paddle driven by the drive motor. The paddle successively contacts the pins in a portion of its rotation to cause corresponding rotation of the drive gear and the output gear which is meshingly engaged therewith. The output gear is coupled to an output shaft having twin cams positioned thereon for manipulating door latch pawls to control the door lock state. An override mechanism is provided which includes top and bottom override arms driven by rotation of a key in the key cylinder.

Abstract: A terminal block assembly including a terminal block portion and a secondary locking member. The terminal block has a plurality of cavities for housing female terminals and circuit protection devices (e.g., fuses and circuit breakers) having mating male blade terminals The terminal block also includes a secondary lock receiving portion for receiving the secondary locking member. The secondary locking member secures the female terminal within a cavity.

Abstract: An adjunct actuator including an electric actuator motor and associated gear train providing motive power for remotely operating an output arm of the adjunct actuator. A lost motion clutch mechanism is provided between the gear train and the output arm. The lost motion clutch mechanism includes a floating sector gear driven by the gear train. The sector gear rides upon an arcuate rail formed on the actuator frame. The sector gear is driven to a neutral position by a spring when the electric motor is deenergized. The spring of the adjunct actuator is not preloaded during assembly of the adjunct actuator. The sector gear is disposed to drive an arcuate carriage which is pivotally mounted on the actuator frame to move about a common rotational axis with the sector gear. A pair of driving faces of the sector gear are interposed between a pair of driven faces on the carriage in a manner providing lost motion between the sector gear and the carriage.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly including a pivotal rotor engagable with a striker pin. A pawl is moveable between a blocking position retaining the rotor in engagement with the striker pin, and a release position permitting the rotor to disengage the striker pin. A link is moveable, manually or by means of an electric motor, between a coupled position engaging the pawl and an uncoupled position disengaged from the pawl. The link also engages an actuator member when the link is in the coupled position and is disengaged from the actuator member in the uncoupled position. The actuator member may be operated, when the link is in the coupled position, to move the pawl to the release position by means of the link. A Bowden cable may be connected to an interior operating handle, the link, and the actuator member to permit locking, unlocking, and unlatching from a single operating handle.

Abstract: An improved structure for an actuator for the lock mechanism of a latch assembly, such as a vehicle door latch assembly. The actuator includes a housing having an output arm moveable relative thereto between a lock position and an unlock position, to lock and unlock, respectively, the latch mechanism. An output gear having a pawl formed thereon is rotatably mounted adjacent the output arm. The output gear is adapted to rotate about an axis to cause the pawl to engage a first one of the pair of drive surfaces to urge the output arm toward the lock position. The output gear may be rotated in a second direction to cause the pawl to engage the other of the pair of drive surfaces to urge the output arm toward the unlock position. The output arm is coupled to a blocking member adapted for movement relative thereto. The blocking member may be moved to a blocking position when the output arm is in the lock position.