Abstract: The invention relates to a manifold system for an internal combustion engine comprising a shutter (22) serving as an externally controlled source of pressure waves disposed within a tract (10) and activated at a predetermined time preceding the closing of an associated engine valve (12) such that the pressure pulse from the shutter reaches the associated valve (12) as it is closing during each engine cycle.

Abstract: An energy absorbing steering column support member for mounting a steering column to a half beam support frame extending transversely of the vehicle. The support member being in the general shape of a parallelogram having a first base wall affixed to the steering column and disposed along the axis of the steering column, a second base wall opposite the first base wall and affixed to the half-beam, and two opposed channel-shaped side walls extending between the first and second base walls. Each side wall including upper and lower rolled flanges which increase in width and accordingly, in bending resistance, from the first base wall to the second base wall. As the steering column axially collapses during a high energy impact, each side wall absorbs energy by forming a plastic hinge that moves from the first base wall to the second base wall at a rate providing near constant energy absorption at the initial peak load level.

Abstract: An engine idle speed control (ISC) method includes fully opening an idle speed control valve during an engine crank mode and opening the idle speed control valve to a fixed position during a diagnostic mode. The normal idle speed control mode includes selecting an open-loop idle speed control mode or a closed-loop idle speed control mode as a function of dashpot preposition, dashpot control, Pre-RPM control, RPM control, and RPM lockout protection. In the open-loop idle speed control, the duty cycle is the sum of a base duty cycle, a dashpot action adder, an engine coolant temperature compensation adder, a time-since-engine-start compensation adder, and other duty cycle adders for additional loads, such as air-conditioner. In the closed-loop idle speed control, the duty cycle is adjusted at the proper time and with an appropriate amount to maintain the idling speed at the desired speed.

Abstract: A passive impact energy absorbing collapsible steering column assembly including a main support bracket fixed at its base to the steering column body and having side members extending in the direction of the steering column and disposed on opposite sides of the steering column. Each side member including a guide slot bifurcating the side member into separate side rail portions, one of which constitutes a guide rail and the other constituting an impact energy absorbing side rail. A bolt is passed through each guide slot to secure the main support bracket to a support structure and is of a diameter greater than the width of the guide slot thereby offering resistance through bending deformation of the energy absorbing side rail portion to the collapse of the steering column body throughout the period of sustained impact.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a blow-molded article including a mold having operable die pieces and a passage through at least one of the die pieces for receiving the needle. The needle includes a tubular portion and a cutting tip atop the tubular portion. The cutting tip has three or more blades terminating into a point. The tubular portion has one or more passages communicating with a source of pressurized fluid. The needle is operated to pierce a parison. The arrowhead-tipped needle is used in a method of manufacturing a blow-molded article. A hollow parison is placed within a cavity of a mold. The mold is closed about the parison and a needle is moved to pierce the parison. The needle penetrates the parison and forms flap sections in the parison. The needle tip pushes the flap sections inwardly within the parison.

Abstract: A high speed machining system (10) including a machine tool (16) mounted on a hollow shaft (14) rotatable at high speeds and the tool (16) being operable at high feed rates. Liquid cutting coolant (22) flows to the tool (16) through the hollow shaft (14) to flush away debris from the tool (16) and for cooling the system (10). Drive means (18) including windings rotate the shaft (14), which is supported by bearings. The windings and bearings have the characteristic of long life in an environment free of liquid cutting coolant (22). The high speed machining system (10) includes a seal assembly (30) to prevent the liquid (22) from entering the liquid-free environment of the bearings and the windings. The seal assembly (30) includes annular means for urging (52) a stationary sealing face (42) against and in annular contact with a rotating hardened sealing surface (38) to form an annular primary seal (54) for isolating the liquid (22 ) from the bearings and windings.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column arrangement for a vehicle is disclosed which comprises a pair of offset shafts and an extrudable housing. One of the shafts is generally fixed with respect to the vehicle and includes a first gear, a second gear and the other shaft includes in rotational driving engagement with the first gear on the one shaft for steering the vehicle and is movable with respect to the one shaft in response to an axial load imposed on the steering column arrangement. The energy of the axial load is absorbed when the second gear extrudes through the housing. In an alternative embodiment, one of the shafts includes a first gear and the other shaft includes a second gear in rotational driving engagement with the first gear to transfer rotation between the shafts, one of the gears having teeth with a width greater than the teeth of the other gear to allow the length of the steering column to be adjusted according to the driver's preference.

Abstract: An automotive type fuel injection engine has for each cylinder a single intake manifold runner or log connected by siamesed flow passages to multiple side-by-side intake ports in the cylinder head. A fuel injector is installed in the runner upstream of the dividing portion of the runner. A single constant diameter bore is provided through the cylinder head close to the intake ports intersecting the siamesed flow passages at right angles. The bore contains a one-piece rotatable paddle-like valve with a thin plate in a flow passage, the valve being variable rotatable to close off the passage for fuel economy and power control. The valve is self-contained with sealing and guidance disks.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly comprises a channel-section outer shell (12) of injection moulded plastics material extending transversely across the front or rear (20) of a motor vehicle and having spaced apart brackets (32) for mounting the bumper on the motor vehicle. The outer shell (12) is substantially filled with an energy absorbing foam (24) adhered to the inside of the outer shell (12) and the mounting brackets (32) have arm portions (36) moulded in the foam filling (24).

Abstract: A measuring device is described for measuring the gap and/or flush between two parts (70,71), comprising a housing (1) having a base (13) with an application face (14) which, in use, is placed on the surface of one of the parts (70). A probe (11) projects from the housing (1) and is movable against a return force (35) in the direction of the housing (1), the probe (11) being placed in use against the other of the parts. Electromechanical transducers (2,3) are disposed within the housing (1) for detecting the displacement of the probe (11). To avoid errors caused by improper positioning of the device on the parts (70,71), the base (13) is pivotably connected to the housing (1), and orientation sensing switches (63) are provided for sensing when the axis of the housing (1) is in a predetermined orientation in relation to the base (13).

Abstract: A lamp assembly which utilizes a plurality of concave reflector elements to direct light to prescribed areas of an associated panel, such as a license plate.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket is described which also serves as an electrode of an ionization sensor. The gasket (16) has an electrically conductive surface portion (16c) which is electrically insulated from the cylinder head (14) and from the engine block (12) so that it may serve as an electrode of an ionization sensor. The gasket of the preferred embodiment is of five layer sandwich construction comprising two outer layers (16a, 16b) of soft metal capable of deformation under pressure to effect a gas tight seal with the block (12) and the cylinder head (14), a central core (16c) of electrically conductive material to serve as an ionization electrode and two layaers of ceramic material (16e, 16f) insulating the central core (16c) from the two outer layers (16a, 16b).

Abstract: A precision cast connecting rod which has an elongate tubular shank member defining a hollow section for producing desired stiffness to weight characteristics. Piston and crankpin connecting members are attached to opposite ends of the shank member. The connecting members are provided with passages which extend axially therewithin from the hollow section. Defined within the elongate tubular shank member is a radially extending central aperture. A precision casting method for preparing the hollow connecting rod includes forming an elongate core with a locating member positioned at each end thereof and a disk-shaped protuberance extending radially therefrom. The core is secured in a die and defines a cavity therebetween for preparing a pattern of the connecting rod using a molding material which substantially encapsulates the core within the cavity. After removing the pattern from the die, coatings of refractory material are applied to form a shell mold which encrusts the pattern.

Abstract: A fastener is provided which comprises a head component; a barbed shank component; and a resilient linking means connecting the head and shank components. The fastener has a longitudinal opening adapted to receive a tool for the application of force in a driving engagement with the shank component. Also provided is a method of fastening a plate member to an internally ribbed work piece using this fastener by engaging the fastener with the ribbed aperture in the work piece; inserting the tool into the longitudinal opening; and applying force to the shank component sufficient to cause axial displacement of the shank component against the resilient biasing of the linking means to maintain the head and shank components in axial tension.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a printed wiring substrate board to have integral contacts over the thickness of a defined connector edge in order to allow for perpendicular mating to exposed conductors on the surface of a second substrate.

Abstract: Engine lubricating oil temperature and the amount of engine usage are used to calculate when engine lubricating oil has reached the end of its predicted wear life. Each spark (engine speed) pulse is multiplied by weighting factors that are periodically determined by sampling the engine oil temperature and the length of time the engine has been in continuous use above a predetermined speed. When the value of the accumulated weighted spark pulses has reached a predetermined level, a warning signal is provided to indicate the necessity of changing the engine lubricating oil.

Abstract: A vent tube assembly (10) for use with a supply of fuel to a fuel tank (12) mounted in a vehicle (14), which enables an operator to fill the tank (12) with a reasonably predictable quantity of fuel to its normal capacity. The vent tube assembly (10) comprises an inner vent tube (24) having at least one inner venting port (26) defined therein. The inner vent tube (24) extends downwardly through the tank (12) for relieving vapor pressure in the tank as the volume of fuel contained therein increases during replenishment from the supply until the fuel in the tank rises to a shut-off level (30). An outer vent tube (32) lies in telescoping relationship with the inner vent tube (24) and has a base (34) which is received by the lower portion of the fuel tank. The outer vent tube (32) is provided with at least one outer venting port (36). A spring urges the outer vent tube (32) toward an extended position so that the outer vent tube (32) is loaded against the lower portion of the tank (12).

Abstract: A collapsible steering column is mounted to a vehicle by upper and lower bend straps. The bend straps are located such that their energy-absorbing function is not susceptible to interference by intrusion of the dash during front end impact. The steering shaft length is minimized through the use of a break-away coupling located substantially inward of the dash and within the passenger compartment.

Abstract: An electronically controlled intake manifold system for an internal combustion engine includes an intake manifold for conveying charge air to each of the cylinders of the engine, an electronically driven pressure pulse generator operatively connected with the manifold for the purpose of producing pressure pulses within the manifold at one or more frequencies related to an operating parameter of the engine, and a processor using at least one operating parameter of the engine to generate a signal for driving the pressure pulse generator.

Abstract: An intake manifold and alternator system for an internal combustion engine includes a manifold for conveying intake charge to a plurality of cylinders of an engine and an alternator driven by the engine, with the alternator being housed within a cavity formed within the manifold. Passages conduct liquid coolant from the manifold to the alternator for the purpose of dissipating heat arising within the alternator.