Abstract: A quiescent zone fluid filter. A reservoir communicates via upstream and downstream communication ports with a fluid flow tube. At the upstream communication port, liquid flowing in the fluid flow tube enters a quiescent zone of the reservoir, whereupon particles therein descend. The liquid then rejoins the fluid flow tube at the downstream communication port free of particles therein. The quiescent zone fluid filter is advantageously implemented within a fluid flow control valve, as for example at the valve barrel of a barrel valve.

Abstract: A method of and device for determining driving range for a vehicle operating with a rechargeable energy storage supply. The method includes performing a calculation based on a limited number of input parameters, including a driving distance, average speed, location and time of day. Other determinations, such as the possibility of using a battery power-depleting climate control system, as well as battery capacity and climate data for various seasonal and location factors may also be used in the calculations.

Abstract: A compact four-way fluid flow control valve wherein an inlet port and three outlet ports are all disposed on the sidewall of a manifold. A valve core is rotatably disposed within the manifold, and has first and second core openings. Annular seals are disposed at blind portions of the sidewall of the valve core in non-circumscribing relation to the core openings and in abutting relation to the manifold. Rotation of the valve core with respect to the manifold provides selected fluid flow to any of the outlet ports, as well as a trickle flow at a selected outlet port and fluid mixing between selected outlet ports.

Abstract: An optimized fluid valve port has the following features: 1) the seal is preferably a standard O-ring seated in a rectilinear seal channel of one of a first or second valve body, 2) the unsupported span of the O-ring during valve port crossing is limited to a length of less than approximately three O-ring diameters, the support being provided by a web disposed between port openings; and 3), within the area of the O-ring, the fluid flow area of the fluid valve port is maximized.

Abstract: A single actuator multi-port flow control valve composed of a plurality of generally cylindrically shaped port bodies rotatably mounted within a valve body. The port bodies are serially driven by a single actuator via a drive link system composed of a drive pin on the inferior side wall of a serial superior port body selectively abutting, during rotation, a driven tab on the superior side wall of its serially inferior port body. The position of each port body is known to an electronic controller which selectively actuates the actuator to set each port body angular position.

Abstract: A compact four-way fluid flow control valve wherein an inlet port and three outlet ports are all disposed on the sidewall of a manifold. A valve core is rotatably disposed within the manifold, and has first and second core openings. Annular seals are disposed at blind portions of the sidewall of the valve core in non-circumscribing relation to the core openings and in abutting relation to the manifold. Rotation of the valve core with respect to the manifold provides selected fluid flow to any of the outlet ports, as well as a trickle flow at a selected outlet port and fluid mixing between selected outlet ports.

Abstract: A quiescent zone fluid filter. A reservoir communicates via upstream and downstream communication ports with a fluid flow tube. At the upstream communication port, liquid flowing in the fluid flow tube enters a quiescent zone of the reservoir, whereupon particles therein descend. The liquid then rejoins the fluid flow tube at the downstream communication port free of particles therein. The quiescent zone fluid filter is advantageously implemented within a fluid flow control valve, as for example at the valve barrel of a barrel valve.

Abstract: An assist handle includes a hinge and a bar having a global axis. The bar is rotatable about the global axis between a first position and a second position. A spring biases the bar toward the second position. A sleeve is defined by either the bar or hinge, and is generally aligned with the global axis. A pin is operatively attached to the other of the bar or hinge and is partially disposed within the sleeve. The pin is configured to allow rotation between the hinge and the bar. The pin includes a wide portion and an undercut portion smaller than the wide portion. The undercut portion creates at least one clearance region between the pin and the sleeve.

Abstract: A member has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface defines a first passageway, and the second surface defines a second passageway that intersects the first passageway at a first opening. An insert is at least partially disposed within the second passageway and extends into the first passageway. The insert defines a third passageway having a second opening that is within the first passageway.

Abstract: Embodiments of an unpowered pedal assist device are provided for use in conjunction with a vehicular control pedal movable between a non-depressed position and a depressed position. In one embodiment, the unpowered pedal assist device includes a multi-bar linkage and at least one resilient element coupled to the multi-bar linkage. The multi-bar linkage is configured to be coupled to the vehicular control pedal and, when so coupled to move from a start position to a finish position as the vehicular control pedal moves from the non-depressed position to the depressed position. The at least one resilient element is configured to bias the multi-bar linkage: (i) toward the start position over an initial range of travel of the vehicular control pedal, and (ii) toward the finish position over a primary range of travel of the vehicular control pedal.

Abstract: Battery assemblies have been provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a battery assembly includes a casing including a plurality of walls defining a coolant chamber and a battery cell pocket disposed in the coolant chamber including a container section, a lip, and a first spacer, the lip surrounding the container section and including a casing adjoining section and a pocket adjoining section, the casing adjoining section configured to couple to the casing, and the pocket adjoining section configured to couple to an adjacent lip of an adjacent battery cell pocket, and the first spacer protruding outwardly from the container section.

Abstract: A single actuator multi-port flow control valve composed of a plurality of generally cylindrically shaped port bodies rotatably mounted within a valve body. The port bodies are serially driven by a single actuator via a drive link system composed of a drive pin on the inferior side wall of a serial superior port body selectively abutting, during rotation, a driven tab on the superior side wall of its serially inferior port body. The position of each port body is known to an electronic controller which selectively actuates the actuator to set each port body angular position.

Abstract: An optimized fluid valve port has the following features: 1) the seal is preferably a standard O-ring seated in a rectilinear seal channel of one of a first or second valve body, 2) the unsupported span of the O-ring during valve port crossing is limited to a length of less than approximately three O-ring diameters, the support being provided by a web disposed between port openings; and 3), within the area of the O-ring, the fluid flow area of the fluid valve port is maximized.

Abstract: An assist handle assembly for a vehicle includes a body and at least a first hinge assembly rotatably coupled to the body. A primary spring interconnects the body and the first hinge assembly and biases the body from an open position into a stowed position. A secondary spring interconnects the body and the first hinge assembly, and biases against the primary spring when the body is between the open position and an intermediate position to resist rotation of the body into the stowed position, and biases with the primary spring when the body is between the intermediate position and the stowed position to assist rotation of the body into the stowed position.

Abstract: A method of and device for determining driving range for a vehicle operating with a rechargeable energy storage supply. The method includes performing a calculation based on a limited number of input parameters, including a driving distance, average speed, location and time of day. Other determinations, such as the possibility of using a battery power-depleting climate control system, as well as battery capacity and climate data for various seasonal and location factors may also be used in the calculations.

Abstract: An assist handle includes a hinge and a bar having a global axis. The bar is rotatable about the global axis between a first position and a second position. A spring biases the bar toward the second position. A sleeve is defined by either the bar or hinge, and is generally aligned with the global axis. A pin is operatively attached to the other of the bar or hinge and is partially disposed within the sleeve. The pin is configured to allow rotation between the hinge and the bar. The pin includes a wide portion and an undercut portion smaller than the wide portion. The undercut portion creates at least one clearance region between the pin and the sleeve.

Abstract: Embodiments of an unpowered pedal assist device are provided for use in conjunction with a vehicular control pedal movable between a non-depressed position and a depressed position. In one embodiment, the unpowered pedal assist device includes a multi-bar linkage and at least one resilient element coupled to the multi-bar linkage. The multi-bar linkage is configured to be coupled to the vehicular control pedal and, when so coupled to move from a start position to a finish position as the vehicular control pedal moves from the non-depressed position to the depressed position. The at least one resilient element is configured to bias the multi-bar linkage: (i) toward the start position over an initial range of travel of the vehicular control pedal, and (ii) toward the finish position over a primary range of travel of the vehicular control pedal.

Abstract: An assist handle assembly for a vehicle includes a body and at least a first hinge assembly rotatably coupled to the body. A primary spring interconnects the body and the first hinge assembly and biases the body from an open position into a stowed position. A secondary spring interconnects the body and the first hinge assembly, and biases against the primary spring when the body is between the open position and an intermediate position to resist rotation of the body into the stowed position, and biases with the primary spring when the body is between the intermediate position and the stowed position to assist rotation of the body into the stowed position.

Abstract: A method of forming a low-friction coating on a metal substrate includes ferritic nitrocarburizing the metal substrate to form a surface of the metal substrate, wherein the surface includes a compound zone and a diffusion zone disposed subjacent to the compound zone. After ferritic nitrocarburizing, the method includes oxidizing the compound zone to form a porous portion defining a plurality of pores, and, after oxidizing, coating the porous portion with polytetrafluoroethylene. The method further includes, after coating, curing the polytetrafluoroethylene to thereby form the low-friction coating. A low-friction coating system includes the metal substrate having the surface including the compound zone and the diffusion zone disposed subjacent said compound zone, wherein said compound zone includes the porous portion defining the pores, and a cured film formed from polytetrafluoroethylene disposed sufficiently on the porous portion so as to at least partially fill at least one of the plurality of pores.

Abstract: Battery assemblies have been provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a battery assembly includes a casing including a plurality of walls defining a coolant chamber and a battery cell pocket disposed in the coolant chamber including a container section, a lip, and a first spacer, the lip surrounding the container section and including a casing adjoining section and a pocket adjoining section, the casing adjoining section configured to couple to the casing, and the pocket adjoining section configured to couple to an adjacent lip of an adjacent battery cell pocket, and the first spacer protruding outwardly from the container section.