Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises (a) a rotatable spool on which seat belt webbing is wound and (b) a load-limiting system to limit a load applied to a vehicle occupant by the webbing. The load-limiting system includes a flow control orifice through which fluid is forced when a load in excess of a predetermined load is applied to the rotatable spool by the webbing. The cross-sectional flow area of the flow control orifice is adjustable in response to unwinding of webbing from the rotatable spool prior to a vehicle crash event and ceases to be adjustable after the crash event is in progress. The load-limiting system also includes a piston in a cylinder. The piston and cylinder are operatively coupled to the spool such that rotation of the spool causes the piston to move relative to the cylinder, which movement causes fluid to be forced through the flow control orifice.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises (a) a rotatable spool on which seat belt webbing is wound and (b) a load-limiting system to limit a load applied to a vehicle occupant by the webbing. The load-limiting system includes a flow control orifice through which fluid is forced when a load in excess of a predetermined load is applied to the rotatable spool by the webbing. The cross-sectional flow area of the flow control orifice is adjustable in response to unwinding of webbing from the rotatable spool prior to a vehicle crash event and ceases to be adjustable after the crash event is in progress. The load-limiting system also includes a piston in a cylinder. The piston and cylinder are operatively coupled to the spool such that rotation of the spool causes the piston to move relative to the cylinder, which movement causes fluid to be forced through the flow control orifice.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises (a) a rotatable spool on which seat belt webbing is wound and (b) a load-limiting system to limit a load applied to a vehicle occupant by the webbing. The load-limiting system includes a flow control orifice through which fluid is forced when a load in excess of a predetermined load is applied to the rotatable spool by the webbing. The cross-sectional flow area of the flow control orifice is adjustable in response to unwinding of webbing from the rotatable spool prior to a vehicle crash event and ceases to be adjustable after the crash event is in progress. The load-limiting system also includes a piston in a cylinder. The piston and cylinder are operatively coupled to the spool such that rotation of the spool causes the piston to move relative to the cylinder, which movement causes fluid to be forced through the flow control orifice.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises (a) a rotatable spool on which seat belt webbing is wound and (b) a load-limiting system to limit a load applied to a vehicle occupant by the webbing. The load-limiting system includes a flow control orifice through which fluid is forced when a load in excess of a predetermined load is applied to the rotatable spool by the webbing. The cross-sectional flow area of the flow control orifice is adjustable in response to unwinding of webbing from the rotatable spool prior to a vehicle crash event and ceases to be adjustable after the crash event is in progress. The load-limiting system also includes a piston in a cylinder. The piston and cylinder are operatively coupled to the spool such that rotation of the spool causes the piston to move relative to the cylinder, which movement causes fluid to be forced through the flow control orifice.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes first and second radiator tanks, a radiator core and an oil cooler. The core includes first and second headers associated with the first and second radiator tanks, respectively, and a plurality of radiator tubes extending between therebetween. Each tube provides fluid communication from the first radiator tank to the second radiator tank. The plurality of radiator tubes are generally perpendicular to the headers. Coolant passing through the radiator tubes enters the second radiator tank in a direction perpendicular to the header. The oil cooler includes first and second end tanks and a core having a plurality of convoluted oil cooler plates. The tubes provide fluid communication between the first and second oil cooler tanks. Adjacent plates define coolant paths extending through the core and disposed at an angle relative to the direction the coolant enters the second radiator tank.

Abstract: A system for quick warm-up of a motor vehicle includes a housing, a heat collector, and a valve mechanism. The housing includes an input port and an output port, and defines a first exhaust flow path between the input port and the output port. The heat collector is in fluid communication with the housing and defines a second exhaust flow path. The heat collector includes an inlet and an outlet and further defines a fluid path between the inlet and the outlet. The valve mechanism is disposed within the housing and is operable to control the flow of exhaust between the first exhaust flow path and the second exhaust flow path.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring heat between a first fluid and second fluid in a motor vehicle includes a housing, a first header, a second header, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes. The housing defines a chamber and includes a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The first and second headers separate a central portion of the chamber from a first and second header portion of the chamber, respectively. The first inlet and the first outlet are in fluid communication with the central portion. The second inlet is in communication with the first header portion. The second outlet is in fluid communication with the second header portion. Each of the plurality of heat exchange tubes passes through the central portion of the chamber and has a first end in fluid communication with the first header portion and a second end in fluid communication with the second header portion.

Abstract: A system for quick warm-up of a motor vehicle having an engine, an exhaust system and a passenger cabin includes a heat collector disposed in the exhaust system downstream of the catalytic converter. The system additionally includes a heater core in the passenger cabin. The heater core is in fluid communication with the heat collector for receiving a heated fluid from the heat collector. The system further includes an expansion tank for receiving fluid from the heater core. The expansion tank is located below the heat collector such that fluid drains from the heat collector back to the expansion tank solely under gravitational force. The heat collector may be combined with a resonator or with a muffler. The heater core may be a combined heater core that extracts heat from both the exhaust system and the engine.

Abstract: A thermostatic device for selectively opening and closing one of more apertures used for controlling the flow of a coolant fluid includes a housing, at least one fixed element and at least one moveable element. The at least one fixed element is fixedly interconnected to the housing. The at least one moveable is moveably connected to the housing. A fluid path passes through the fixed element and the moveable element. The fluid path is opened and closed in response to movement of the moveable element relative to the fixed element such that when the moveable element is in a first position the fluid path is closed and when the moveable element is in a second position the fluid path is open. A temperature responsive bi-metal element is coupled to the moveable element for moving the moveable element between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a first header tank, a second header tank, and a core. The core is positioned between the first header tank and the second header tank. The core includes a plurality of tubes, a set of cooling fins and a plurality of channels. Each tube of the plurality of tubes provides fluid communication between the first header tank and the second header tank. The set of cooling fins are located between the heat exchange tubes of the plurality of tubes to increase a heat exchange area. The plurality of channels is defined by the plurality of tubes and the set of cooling fins. The channels of the plurality of channels are operative for directing a flow of air through the core such that a flow of air enters a front face of the core in a first direction and is generally directed toward a plane.

Abstract: A transmission thermostat adapted to control the flow of automatic transmission fluid between a transmission and a transmission oil cooler including a temperature-sensitive mechanism. The temperature-sensitive mechanism includes at lease one bimetallic coil.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes at least two tanks containing a medium to be temperature treated and a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending between the at least two tanks. The heat exchange tubes have exterior surface areas at least partially defining a heat exchange area. A set of cooling fins is located between the heat exchange tubes of the plurality of heat exchange tubes to increase the heat exchange area. The fins are configured to define a plurality of non-straight line paths for the flow of air across the heat exchanger. The non-straight line paths force the flow of air across the heat exchange to change direction and cause impingement of the air onto the fins and tubes as well as turbulence for increasing heat transfer performance.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for an internal combustion engine of a motor include first and second radiator tanks and a plurality of radiator tubes extending between the first and second radiator tanks. The first radiator tank includes a plurality of walls. Brazed joints are between the plurality of walls to make the first radiator tank liquid tight. Brazed joints are also between the plurality of radiator tubes and the first and second radiator tanks. An oil-cooling structure is disposed inside the first radiator tank. The brazed joints between the plurality of walls and between the plurality of radiator tubes and the first and second radiator tanks are simultaneously formed.

Abstract: A transmission thermostat device includes a body having first and second input ports and first and second output ports. A first fluid path extends between the first input port and the first output port. A second fluid path extends between the second input port and the second output port. A bypass port is disposed between the first fluid path and the second fluid path. A temperature sensing mechanism is disposed within the housing. The temperature sensing mechanism element is operative in a first mode to close the bypass port and in a second mode to open the bypass port. The temperature sensing mechanism includes a bimetal element responsive to a change in temperature.

Abstract: An internal thermostat for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle includes a thermostat housing, a rotary valve and a bimetallic, temperature sensitive element. The thermostat housing is attached to an internal flow aperture of the transmission to be controlled. The rotary valve is moveable between an open position and a closed position in response to a temperature of oil, thereby controlling oil flow through the internal flow aperture of the transmission. The bimetallic temperature-sensitive element is attached to the rotary valve and operative to control an angular position of the valve as a function of the temperature of the surrounding oil. The bimetallic, temperature-sensitive element may be shaped like a coil. Alternatively, the bimetallic, temperature-sensitive element may be shaped like a substantially linear strip.

Abstract: A fluid cooling device for a motor vehicle includes a fluid inlet tank and a fluid outlet tank. A plurality of heat transfer tubes provide constant fluid communication between the inlet tank and the outlet tank. A bypass arrangement selectively provides additional fluid communication between the fluid inlet tank and the fluid outlet tank. A bi-metallic valve is moveable from a first position to a second position in response to an increase in temperature of the fluid such that the valve member closes the at least one bypass tube to preclude additional fluid communication between the fluid inlet tank and the fluid outlet tank when the valve member is in the second position and the valve member opens the bypass tube to provide additional fluid communication between the inlet tank and the outlet tank in the first position.

Abstract: An oil cooler for a motor vehicle includes a fluid inlet tank and a fluid outlet tank. A plurality of heat transfer tubes provides constant fluid communication between the inlet tank and the outlet tank. A bypass arrangement provides additional fluid communication between the fluid inlet tank and the fluid outlet tank under a first operating condition and the bypass arrangement precludes additional fluid communication between the inlet tank and the outlet tank under a second operating condition. The bypass arrangement may include a bypass tube and an element for selectively blocking the bypass tube. The element for selectively blocking the bypass tube may be automatically response to a change in oil temperature or a change in oil pressure.

Abstract: A thermostatic device for selectively opening and closing one of more apertures used for controlling the flow of a coolant fluid includes a housing, at least one fixed element and at least one moveable element. The at least one fixed element is fixedly interconnected to the housing. The at least one moveable is moveably connected to the housing. A fluid path passes through the fixed element and the moveable element. The fluid path is opened and closed in response to movement of the moveable element relative to the fixed element such that when the moveable element is in a first position the fluid path is closed and when the moveable element is in a second position the fluid path is open. A temperature responsive bi-metal element is coupled to the moveable element for moving the moveable element between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a housing defining a fluid path therethrough. The thermostat further includes a valve plate for selectively sealing an opening in the fluid path for opening and closing the fluid path. The valve plate is mounted within the fluid path for rotation about a pivot axis extending generally perpendicular to the flow of fluid through the housing. The valve plate is configured and disposed within the fluid path such that fluid pressure against a first portion of the valve plate creates a first torque and fluid pressure against a second portion of the valve plate creates a second torque. The first and second torques substantially cancel each other out such that a net torque generated by the fluid pressure on the valve plate is neglible.

Abstract: A thermostatic device for selectively opening and closing one of more apertures used for controlling the flow of a coolant fluid includes a housing, at least one fixed element and at least one moveable element. The at least one fixed element is fixedly interconnected to the housing. The at least one moveable is moveably connected to the housing. A fluid path passes through the fixed element and the moveable element. The fluid path is opened and closed in response to movement of the moveable element relative to the fixed element such that when the moveable element is in a first position the fluid path is closed and when the moveable element is in a second position the fluid path is open. A temperature responsive bi-metal element is coupled to the moveable element for moving the moveable element between the first position and the second position.