Abstract: A telescoping joint assembly and a method for making a telescope joint assembly 10. The joint assembly 10 has a pair of members 12, 14 which are telescopically engaged. Assembly 10 further includes a resinous, plastic and/or polymer material 16 which shrinkably coats or lines the inner shaft 12 after the inner shaft 12 is heated and exposed to a substantially inert gas, thereby providing a relatively durable and substantially “low friction” bearing or surface 18 which is effective to promote and/or assist the telescopic sliding motion between the members 12, 14.

Abstract: A rack and pinion power steering system 10 is provided and includes a variable orifice valve 22 which controls the flow of fluid in and out of a hydraulic cylinder 20. Variable orifice valve 22 is communicatively coupled to a source of pressurized fluid 30 by use of a conduit 42 and an electronically controlled valve assembly 38. The pressurized fluid received through conduit 42 controls the operation of valve 22. Based upon the pressure of the received fluid, valve 22 selectively increases and decreases the volume of fluid flow in and out of cylinder 20, thereby causing cylinder 20 to have enhanced damping characteristics during certain vehicle operating conditions (e.g., during relatively high vehicle speed operating conditions).

Abstract: A non-contact mask 10 which is selectively deployed in close proximity to an object 12 and which has a certain type of electrical charge. A substance 16, to be selectively applied to the object 12, is provided with the certain type of electrical charge and the electrical charge of the mask 10 and the electrical charge of the substance 16 cooperate to substantially prevent the substance 16 from being applied to the mask 10.

Abstract: A mounting structure 10 having improved stiffness characteristics. The mounting structure 10 includes a pillar 14 which forms a portion of a vehicle body 12 and which operatively supports a vehicle door which is selectively attached to the pillar 14 by hinges 16. The structure 10 includes a pair of “closed-loop” beads which are formed around hinges 16, and which increase the stiffness characteristics of the pillar 14 and of the vehicle door.

Abstract: An integrated battery tray and reservoir assembly 10 is provided which is adapted to be operatively installed within the engine compartment of a conventional vehicle. Assembly 10 includes a battery tray portion 12 having a back wall 14 which includes a generally rectangular cavity 16; a vacuum reservoir plate 18 which is sealingly attached to back wall 14 and which cooperates with back wall 14 and cavity 16 to form a sealed vacuum reservoir 20; a valve housing portion 22 which fluidly communicates with reservoir 20; a solenoid valve assembly 24; and a check valve assembly 26. A vacuum hub locks pulse supply line 30 is coupled to valve 24 and selectively receives vacuum pulses from valve 24. Assembly 10 further includes an engine vacuum line 32 and an HVAC vacuum line 28 which are fluidly coupled to vacuum reservoir 20 and which respectively provide and receive vacuum pressure to/from reservoir 20.

Abstract: A method and tool are provided for manufacturing an outer race for constant velocity joints by plastic deformation of a preform having a cavity open on one side to produce axial ball tracks and cage guide surfaces. the preform is inserted within an outer tool. An inner tool is inserted within the preform. The preform is wobble pressed with the inner tool.

Abstract: A method for producing a gear assembly 108 which allows for the relatively efficient transfer of energy. Assembly 108 is created by forming a first member 10 and a second member 40, by placing pinion support members 80 within the second member 40, by placing gear assemblies or pinions 63 upon each of the pinion support members 80, and by coupling the pinion support members 80 to the first member 10, thereby forming gear assembly 108.

Abstract: A system 10 which utilizes engine coolant to selectively heat and cool fluid or oil used by another vehicle system, such as a transmission 14. System 10 includes a first cooling path or circuit 28 having a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 18 which is fluidly coupled to engine 12. The system 10 further includes a second fluid flow circuit 36, which contains and communicates transmission oil or fluid to and from transmission 14. Circuit 36 includes a conventional solenoid controlled shunt valve 22 which is fluidly coupled to transmission 14 and to fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 18. Valve 22 is effective to selectively channel transmission oil through heat exchanger 18 based on one or more parameters (e.g., ambient temperature and transmission oil temperature), thereby relatively rapidly heating the transmission oil under certain operating conditions.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold 10 having a body 12 and a plurality of flanges 14-24. The body 12 is separately fabricated apart from flanges 14-24. The flanges 14-24 are later joined to the body and cooperatively form an exhaust manifold 10.

Abstract: A battery cooling system 10 for use with a vehicle 14 including several batteries or battery modules 16-38 which provide power to the vehicle 12. The system 10 includes a refrigerant gas channeling or conduit system which is effective to store, compress, expand and circulate refrigerant gas through the battery pack 12 and the system 10. A first “high pressure” conduit system, having several tubes or conduits that are disposed throughout the vehicle 14, is used to selectively carry and transport pressurized or compressed refrigerant gas to the battery pack 12 and includes a pump 42, a heat exchanger 44, expansion valves 46-52, and conduits 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62. A second “low pressure” conduit system is used to circulate the “expanded” or decompressed refrigerant gas throughout the battery pack 12 and to return the refrigerant gas to pump 42 for recompression.

Abstract: A system 10 for electrostatically painting a product or vehicle 12. The system 10 ensures that each product or vehicle 12 which is painted is sufficiently and completely grounded prior to being painted, thereby substantially preventing the products or vehicles 12 from being improperly painted and improving the overall efficiency of the painting process.

Abstract: A crankshaft casting pattern insert 10 which includes selectively adjustable portions 14, 16, which respectively correspond the front and rear main bearing journal portions of the crankshaft. Each adjustable portion 14, 16 includes a removable insert or member 18, a key member 20, several “vertical” spacers 22, several “lateral” spacers 24, and a fastener 26. Adjustable portions 14, 16 allow the pattern 10 to be selectively modified in shape, effective to compensate for pattern wear and to allow multiple crankshafts to be produced which have a substantially similar balance capability. Pattern 10 may also include several validation pads or points 50 which allow the produced crankshafts to be measured with improved accuracy.

Abstract: A fuel system 10 which selectively receives, stores and delivers volatile fuel 16. Fuel system 10 includes a variable volume fuel tank 12 having a movable piston 22 which is attached to a pair of bellows diaphragm members 26, 28. Members 26, 28 selectively contract and expand to move piston 22 within tank 12, effective to alter the volume of the fuel containing portion 14 of tank 12, thereby maintaining fuel 16 in a pressurized state and substantially preventing the accumulation of vapors within tank 12.

Abstract: A vision system 10 which allows images of a vehicular ambient environment 52 to be selectively acquired and displayed upon a display portion 14. The system 10 may be operatively used within vehicle 12 and may be selectively removed from the vehicle 12 and deployed within the environment 52. Further, display portion 14 is adapted to selectively acquire and display images from an entertainment type device or DVD type player 38 and/or other images from a wide variety of other sources, thereby further increasing the overall utility of the vision system 10.

Abstract: A system and method for the control and preparation of the combined fuel and air mixture in a camless internal combustion engine. The system and method provide increased engine operating efficiency and lower exhaust emissions during low speed and cold engine conditions.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle 10 having a propulsion system 12 which includes an internal combustion engine 14, a generator/motor 16 and an electric motor or a “traction inverter module” 18 which cooperatively provide power to the drive train 28 of vehicle 10. Vehicle 10 includes a controller 44 which is effective to detect whether any faults are present within any of the torque providing subsystems (e.g., in engine 14, generator/motor 16 and/or motor 18), and if one or more faults is. present, to provide a limited operation strategy which allows the vehicle to be driveable by use of the remaining operational subsystem(s).

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for monitoring the loading of a diesel particulate filter 12. System 10 is adapted for use in combination with a vehicle including an internal combustion diesel engine 14 of the type having several substantially identical cylinders 16 which drivably rotate a crankshaft 17. Engine 14 includes an intake manifold 18 which selectively delivers air to cylinders 16, and an exhaust manifold 20 which selectively discharges exhaust gasses from cylinders 16. System 10 includes an engine control unit or controller 40 which is communicatively connected to a pressure sensor 42 that is operatively disposed in the intake manifold 18, and other vehicle operating conditions sensors 44. Controller 40 monitors the signals received from sensors 42 and 44, and based upon the received signals, estimates the loading of the DPF 12 and determines when the DPF 12 should be regenerated.

Abstract: A charge motion control valve 10 for use in combination with an internal combustion engine having “Siamese” type fuel intake ports 18, 20. Valve 10 has an asymmetrical shape which provides for improved engine stability during cold start operating conditions by causing condensed fuel to be removed from intake valves and properly mixed and combusted within a cylinder of the engine.

Abstract: A transfer case control system or apparatus 10 is provided for use on a four-wheel drive vehicle of the type having a transfer case 32, a front driveshaft 22 and a rear driveshaft 26. Transfer case control system 10 includes a conventional microcontroller or controller 40 having a memory unit 42 and operating under stored program control. Controller 40 selectively generates a control signal which controls the amount of torque provided to driveshafts 22, 26. Controller 40 provides an improved torque adjustment “response” by automatically adjusting to the condition of the vehicle's tires.

Abstract: A tool 10 having a pair of movably connected handles 12,14, each of which respectively include a substantially identical and generally semi-cylindrical retention member 20,22, The tool 10 may be used to secure a connector 36 upon end 34 of hose 28 while protecting a user of the tool 10 from contact with the frayed sheathing portions 32 proximate to end 34. In operation, end 34 is secured between members 20 and 22 and the connector 36 is forced onto end 34, thereby attaching the connector 36 to the hose 28. In alternate embodiments, members 20,22 may be removably connected to handles 12,14 or may be integrally formed with a robotic arm 52.