Abstract: Example hydraulic brake actuators and related methods are disclosed herein. An example hydraulic brake actuator includes a rotary valve disposed in a bore of a housing. The rotary valve includes a shaft rotatably disposed within a sleeve. The sleeve and the shaft have ports that align at certain rotational positions to create a flow path between the bore and an inner chamber of the shaft. The example hydraulic brake actuator also includes a pump coupled to the shaft to increase and decrease a pressure within the inner chamber of the shaft.

Abstract: Example hydraulic brake apparatus and related methods are described herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a parking brake valve having an inlet fluidly coupled to a pump and an outlet fluidly coupled to a brake. The parking brake valve is operable between an open state and a closed state to allow or block fluid through the parking brake valve. To lock the fluid in the brake in a parking brake mode, the parking brake valve is moved to the closed state by pumping fluid into the inlet.

Abstract: Example hydraulic brake actuators and related methods are disclosed herein. An example hydraulic brake actuator includes a rotary valve disposed in a bore of a housing. The rotary valve includes a shaft rotatably disposed within a sleeve. The sleeve and the shaft have ports that align at certain rotational positions to create a flow path between the bore and an inner chamber of the shaft. The example hydraulic brake actuator also includes a pump coupled to the shaft to increase and decrease a pressure within the inner chamber of the shaft.

Abstract: A bushing is provided for adjusting to differences in diameter between concentric elements of an assembly. The bushing may be provided with a plurality of leaf springs coupled to one another to form parts of a wall. The bushing wall may have a first contact face and a second contact face opposite the first contact face. The bushing wall may also be configured to be positioned in a generally annular shape. Each of the leaf springs forming part of the bushing wall may be radially deflectable relative to each of the other leaf springs in order to self-align the bushing by the resilient response of each leaf spring.

Abstract: Example hydraulic brake actuators and related methods are disclosed herein. An example hydraulic brake actuator includes a rotary valve disposed in a bore of a housing. The rotary valve includes a shaft rotatably disposed within a sleeve. The sleeve and the shaft have ports that align at certain rotational positions to create a flow path between the bore and an inner chamber of the shaft. The example hydraulic brake actuator also includes a pump coupled to the shaft to increase and decrease a pressure within the inner chamber of the shaft.

Abstract: Example hydraulic brake apparatus and related methods are described herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a parking brake valve having an inlet fluidly coupled to a pump and an outlet fluidly coupled to a brake. The parking brake valve is operable between an open state and a closed state to allow or block fluid through the parking brake valve. To lock the fluid in the brake in a parking brake mode, the parking brake valve is moved to the closed state by pumping fluid into the inlet.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hitch angle sensor assembly includes a spacer fixed between a hitch ball and a mounting surface on a vehicle. An element is rotatably coupled with the spacer about a vertical axis defined by the hitch ball, and connecting member secures the element to a trailer. A hall sensor is coupled with the spacer and senses a magnetic portion of the element to determine a hitch angle between the vehicle and trailer. This and other embodiments of the hitch angle sensor assembly may be used independently or in combination with other hitch angle sensors or systems to estimate the hitch angle between the vehicle and trailer, which may be advantageously used for operation of the vehicle with a trailer backup assist system.

Abstract: A bushing is provided for adjusting to differences in diameter between concentric elements of an assembly. The bushing may be provided with a plurality of leaf springs coupled to one another to form parts of a wall. The bushing wall may have a first contact face and a second contact face opposite the first contact face. The bushing wall may also be configured to be positioned in a generally annular shape. Each of the leaf springs forming part of the bushing wall may be radially deflectable relative to each of the other leaf springs in order to self-align the bushing by the resilient response of each leaf spring.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus including a rack gear and a pinion gear that are disposed within a housing and preloaded by a yoke assembly. The yoke assembly includes a bushing that is biased into engagement with the rack. A yoke plug extends through a yoke opening to provide a gear mesh load on the rack through the bushing assembly. The yoke body is axially assembled through a rack gear bore in the housing of the steering gear and a yoke assembly is inserted through a yoke bore to apply mesh preload to the bushing assembly. A method of making the yoke assembly by forming leaf springs that are over-molded to form a yoke body.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hitch angle sensor assembly includes a spacer fixed between a hitch ball and a mounting surface on a vehicle. An element is rotatably coupled with the spacer about a vertical axis defined by the hitch ball, and connecting member secures the element to a trailer. A hall sensor is coupled with the spacer and senses a magnetic portion of the element to determine a hitch angle between the vehicle and trailer. This and other embodiments of the hitch angle sensor assembly may be used independently or in combination with other hitch angle sensors or systems to estimate the hitch angle between the vehicle and trailer, which may be advantageously used for operation of the vehicle with a trailer backup assist system.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus including a rack gear and a pinion gear that are disposed within a housing and preloaded by a yoke assembly. The yoke assembly includes a bushing that is biased into engagement with the rack. A yoke plug extends through a yoke opening to provide a gear mesh load on the rack through the bushing assembly. The yoke body is axially assembled through a rack gear bore in the housing of the steering gear and a yoke assembly is inserted through a yoke bore to apply mesh preload to the bushing assembly. A method of making the yoke assembly by forming leaf springs that are over-molded to form a yoke body.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering system includes a pinion having an upper shaft section, a gear section, and a lower shaft section, wherein the gear section is located between the upper shaft section and the lower shaft section. A rack is included that has a gear section for coupling with the gear section of the pinion. A housing encloses at least portions of the pinion and the rack. A bearing is rotatably received within the housing and has an inner surface for supporting the lower shaft section of the pinion. The inner surface of the bearing has a Gothic-arch shaped cross-section for reducing rattle sensitivity to alternating sinusoidal loads between the bearing and the pinion.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid reservoir apparatus for an automotive power steering system comprises a filter chamber, and a filter parallel to a vertical axis and dividing the filter chamber into an upstream region and a downstream region. The reservoir apparatus also includes a stagnant fluid well apart from the filter chamber, and a de-aeration zone overlying the filter chamber. A vent is provided between the upstream region and the de-aeration zone. Fluid recycled to the reservoir apparatus contains entrained gas. The filter separates the gas from the fluid within the upstream region, whereupon the gas is vented to the de-aeration zone and separates from the fluid circulated to the stagnant fluid well.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid reservoir apparatus for an automotive power steering system comprises a filter chamber, and a filter parallel to a vertical axis and dividing the filter chamber into an upstream region and a downstream region. The reservoir apparatus also includes a stagnant fluid well apart from the filter chamber, and a de-aeration zone overlying the filter chamber. A vent is provided between the upstream region and the de-aeration zone. Fluid recycled to the reservoir apparatus contains entrained gas. The filter separates the gas from the fluid within the upstream region, whereupon the gas is vented to the de-aeration zone and separates from the fluid circulated to the stagnant fluid well.

Abstract: Described is a single phase aqueous surfactant-free nontoxic air freshening composition containing 30-70% water, 5-20% of a fragrance, at least 60% of the components of which has a C log10 P≦2.5 and 30-60 weight percent of a mixture of two glycol ether components: (i) dipropylene glycol methyl ether; and (ii) propylene glycol propyl ether or propylene glycol butyl ether. Also described is an air freshener device comprising a vessel for the aforementioned composition, an emanating surface and a wick for supplying the composition to the emanating surface. In another embodiment of the invention is a stain removal wipe, which contains a fragrant aqueous system with low solvent and substantially free of surfactant.

Abstract: Described is a water-soluble solid-phase ironing aid-freshening composition for use in forming controllably dimensioned tablets, which have controlled weights and densities and which are conveniently added to the water-containing steam chamber of a steam iron. The use of the tablets produced from the composition enables textiles which are ironed to be freshened and de-wrinkled. The composition includes (i) a support substance; (ii) a tablet binder substance; and (iii) a fragrance composition and, optionally, a silicone resin, a chelating agent and/or a surfactant.