Abstract: A hydraulic cooling system and method for use in a vehicle comprises a hydraulic pump which is coupled to a hydraulic motor for driving a fan blade in operative relationship with a radiator via a hydraulic conduit. The hydraulic conduit is formed and provided to not only hydraulically couple the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor, but also to define a support structure for supporting the hydraulic motor in operative relationship with the radiator, without the need for additional support brackets or structure. It is envisioned that the hydraulic conduit could be pre-formed in a general pyramidal or frusto-conical shape to absorb forces exerted by the motor and so that it can easily be assembled and-mounted to the fan shroud.
Abstract: An electrical switch selectively controls an ignition circuit and accessory circuits of a motor vehicle. The electrical switch includes a segmented rotatable member with radially extending side walls having cam surfaces formed thereon for operably actuating electrically conductive leaf spring members to individually open and close electrical circuits in response to positioning the rotatable member in predefined angular positions. A segmented, asymmetrical rotary actuator and housing assembly permits placement of the switch in close proximity to other system components.
Abstract: A blower assembly includes a motor cover having (1) a body portion defining a motor cavity, (2) an air flow guide surface connected to an end of the body portion, the guide surface extending radially outwardly from the body portion, and (3) a cooling duct integrally formed with the body portion and having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being located at the end of the body portion and the outlet being defined in a sidewall of the body portion. The blower assembly further includes a motor positionable in the motor cavity, the motor having a motor shaft having a central axis. In addition, the blower assembly includes a fan housing is connected to the motor cover, wherein (1) the fan housing defines a scroll cut-off line, and (2) a plane passes through the scroll cut-off line and the central axis, and (3) the cooling duct is positioned adjacent to the plane.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 20, 1998
Date of Patent:
September 21, 1999
Assignee:
Valeo, Inc.
Inventors:
Mark A. Graham, Michael J. Neely, John R. Savage
Abstract: This invention deals with a system and method for manufacturing a drive gear having a plurality of teeth in cross section where the teeth are situated on a drive shaft in a substantially parallel manner. The drive gear is characterized in that the teeth are substantially parallel to each other and contact mating driven teeth at points which define an arc which is not concentric about an axis of the driven gear. The drive gear is characterized in that it has multi-tooth contact points which do not contact the teeth of the mating gear at exactly the same contact point on the mating teeth, thereby lengthening the life of the driven gear as well as distributing the torque load to a plurality of teeth. A method and procedure for generating a drive gear having the features of the present invention is also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 23, 1997
Date of Patent:
September 21, 1999
Assignee:
Valeo, Inc.
Inventors:
Craig A. Ham, William R. Mack, Ralph J. Unterborn, Jeffrey T. Weller, Peter S. Zhou
Abstract: A brush holder plate includes plugs with a blade terminal and an extension connected thereto. The plugs with their extension are inserted from below into the brush holder plate which is provided with sleeves on its top surface. The extension is passed through the sleeve, and a strand is slipped from the other side into the sleeve. An electrical connection between the strand and the plug is produced by pinching the sleeve, on the one hand, and the plug is fixed mechanically on the brush holder plate, on the other hand.
Abstract: A motor vehicle lamp employs conductor moldings in which conductor tracks extending in three dimensions can be created in the housing. In addition, the conductor moldings enable the integration of lamp connections, switches and lamp mount, as well as reflectors and cooling surfaces directly into the housing and separately inlaid or molded-in plates for contact tracks.
Abstract: The invention pertains to a module for a motor vehicle which comprises a windshield wiper system (7) and a windshield washer system, wherein a receptacle (6) that is predominantly realized in the form of a fluid container is shaped such that it surrounds the windshield wiper system (7) at least approximately complimentarily and simultaneously serves as a cover for the so-called radiator tank of the motor vehicle body, and wherein said receptacle is provided with an air passage (17) that leads to the passenger compartment. The invention also aims to develop a module of this type in such a way that it fulfills additional functions and can be delivered to the motor vehicle manufacturer in the form of a complete module.
Abstract: A switched reluctance motor includes an auxiliary winding interspersed among the main phase windings such that a constant inductance ratio is established between the main and auxiliary windings regardless of rotor position. The auxiliary winding preferably has a higher inductance compared to the main winding. A test current is injected into the auxiliary winding in order to indirectly determine rotor position and the auxiliary winding is utilized to maintain a holding torque under static load conditions. The disclosed design and methodology improves motor function capabilities and economies.
Abstract: A fluid control system for powering vehicle accessories includes a pump for generating a supply flow of hydraulic fluid, and a supply line for receiving the supply flow of hydraulic fluid. The system further includes a fan control circuit in fluid communication with the supply line, wherein the fan control circuit includes (1) a hydraulic motor and a bypass valve, and (2) the hydraulic motor is positioned in parallel with the bypass valve. The system also includes a steering control circuit in fluid communication with the fan control circuit, wherein (1) the steering control circuit requires a first predetermined flow of hydraulic fluid from the fan control circuit for proper operation thereof, and (2) the bypass valve and the hydraulic motor cooperate so as to create a second predetermined flow of hydraulic fluid. Moreover, the system includes a sensor for detecting operational pressure within the fluid supply line and generating pressure status signals in response thereto.
Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle frame. The apparatus includes a motor for rotating a shaft. The apparatus further includes a first threaded member coupled to the shaft of the motor, wherein the first threaded member is mechanically linked to the vehicle frame. In addition, the apparatus includes a second threaded member which cooperates with the first threaded member so that the second threaded member is moved relative to the first threaded member when the first threaded member is rotated by the shaft of the motor, wherein the second threaded member is mechanically linked to the vehicle door. A method for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle frame is also disclosed.
Abstract: A replacement assembly for a wiper blade for cleaning the windshield of a motor vehicle includes an elastic wiper blade assembly that has a top part and a wiper lip, with one respective elastic rail inserted into two lateral longitudinal grooves in the top part and retained therein by a retaining clip. An end piece on the end and the retaining clip both hold the elastic rails in the longitudinal grooves. The end piece is attached to one end of the wiper blade assembly, with said end piece securing the wiper blade assembly on the wiper blade frame in the longitudinal direction with the end to insure simple and safe handling of the replacement assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 20, 1996
Date of Patent:
July 27, 1999
Assignee:
ITT Automotive Europe GmbH
Inventors:
Eckhardt Schmid, Bruno Egner-Walter, Klaus Jaisle, Klauspeter Noack, Eduard Schill
Abstract: An automatic fog light cutoff, controlled by the headlights, is described for motor vehicles. The switching circuit for the automatic fog light cutoff is comprised of two current leads connected to each other through a normally-open relay. When the fog lights are switched on, the relay that is connected to the ground of the headlight current lead closes the fog light current lead and thus activates the fog lights. If the headlights are switched on, the current flow in the relay between the fog light current lead and the headlight current lead is interrupted, such that the currentless normally-open relay opens the fog light current lead and shuts off the fog lights.
Abstract: The method for controlling a motor driving a load holds the speed of the output shaft of the motor substantially constant as the torque imposed upon the shaft by the load varies, then regulates the rate of change of the output torque delivered by the motor's output shaft as the motor's speed decreases.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 21, 1997
Date of Patent:
June 29, 1999
Assignee:
Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Mark Frey, Karen M. Pirrallo, Saed M. Mubaslat, Kevin A. Wolff
Abstract: The invention describes a carbon brush for an electrical machine. Carbon brushes of this type need to fulfill two requirements. First, the carbon brush should be as resistant to abrasion as possible. Second, as little noise as possible should be generated at the brush/collector crossover during the operation of the motor. Consequently, the invention proposes to bevel the face surface of the carbon brush, and to provide the face surface with transverse grooves within its lower region.
Abstract: A power drive moves a movable closure along a fixed path between an open and a closed position with respect to a portal defining a passage through a barrier. The power drive system is adapted for a sliding door mounted on at least one side of a vehicle for sliding movement forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle. The system includes a reversible motor operable when actuated to selectively drive the door in opening or closing movement. A bracket is connected to the door for movement with respect to a guide connected to the side wall of the vehicle. The bracket is guided within the guide along a fixed path between the opened and closed positions of the door. An elongated drive member is connected to the bracket at one end for driving the bracket along the fixed path. The elongated drive member is slidably disposed within the guide. A translator mechanism operably engages with the drive member for powering movement of the drive member and connected bracket with respect to the guide along the fixed path.
Abstract: An assembly, consisting of a motor and a pump, the motor being arranged in a motor housing and the pump in a pump housing. Both housings can be coupled to each other. The motor housing is provided with a second main bearing. The pump housing is equipped with a pump bearing. During normal operation, the forces acting on the pump eccentric are essentially supported by the main bearing and the pump bearing. The bearing forces are introduced into the pump housing. If the motor housing is not fastened to the pump housing, the rotor shaft is supported by the main bearing and, if necessary, an accessory bearing. Thus the motor can be tested without being connected to the pump housing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 27, 1996
Date of Patent:
April 20, 1999
Assignee:
ITT Automotive Europe, GmbH
Inventors:
Jochen Burgdorf, Peter Volz, Hans-Dieter Reinartz, Dieter Dinkel
Abstract: A wiper arm mounting system for mounting a wiper arm rigidly and removably to a drive shaft includes a mounting part and a threaded fastening element that is realized in the form of a fastening nut or fastening screw with the fastening element acting upon the drive shaft in the axial direction. The fastening element is held on the mounting part in captive fashion at least approximately in the mounting position, such that the wiper arm can be pulled off the drive shaft (8) by means of rotating the fastening element.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 16, 1996
Date of Patent:
April 20, 1999
Assignee:
ITT Automotive Europe GmbH
Inventors:
Bruno Egner-Walter, Eckhardt Schmid, Wolfgang Scholl
Abstract: The application describes an electric motor with a pressure compensation device. This device consists of a BTFE membrane that is arranged in a connecting channel between the interior of the electric motor and the external air.The membrane is arranged in the shield of the electric motor. Since the shield consists of plastic, the membrane can be sprayed on during the manufacture of the shield such that the membrane is inseparably connected to the shield. However, other fastening methods can be considered. One particularly suitable location for arranging the membrane is a circumferential collar that serves for centering the housing relative to the motor shaft. The connecting channel is realized in the form of a slot on the outer side of the collar. The application also describes additional methods for attaching the membrane.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 5, 1997
Date of Patent:
April 13, 1999
Assignee:
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises Inc.
Inventors:
Peter Volz, Hans-Dieter Reinartz, Dieter Dinkel
Abstract: A quick connector housing element includes an elongated barb design for coupling the female housing to a tubing member. The elongated barb design includes a generally cylindrical sealing surface proximate a terminal end of the female housing. The sealing surface of the elongated barb enhances sealing properties between the female housing and the tubing and provides other advantages especially in connection with the use of multilayer tubing. Further, an O-ring is disposed about the sealing surface to provide a better seal.