Abstract: A hydraulically powered fan system for the cooling system of a vehicle. Two hydraulic motors, powered by a hydraulic pump, drive a common fan which cools a radiator. When hydraulic flow in excess of that required to power a single motor is present, a second motor is placed in parallel with the single motor, thereby reducing system pressure, and reducing the power consumed by the pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting moisture on the windscreen of a motor vehicle has an illumination source and a light sensor mounted within the motor vehicle. The light sensor detects light rays from the light source reflected off the windscreen via a diffusion surface within the motor vehicle. Based upon the sensed reflected light, an image processor in communication with the light sensor creates an image of a portion of the windscreen that the processor analyzes to determine the moisture condition of the windscreen.A method for controlling the operation of the windscreen wiper system monitors light reflected from a portion of a windscreen and creates an image of the moisture condition of the windscreen based on the reflected light. The image is analyzed to determine the configuration of light intensities in predetermined zones. From the light intensity configuration, the moisture condition of the windscreen is determined.

Abstract: In a windshield wiper apparatus, the feed line is conducted to a washing nozzle by way of the drive axis of the windshield wiper arm. The feed line consists of a metallic tubelet, which is conducted through the axis, which is constructed in a hollow manner. The end of the tubelet is sealed by means of a sealing part, whereby the sealing part supports a nozzle body. In order for the sealing part of the tubelet to be securely sealed, it is provided that it has a central guide peg which is coaxially encircled by a stud, so that an annular groove, into which the casing of the tubelet is inserted, is constructed between the guide peg and the stud.

Abstract: This invention includes a system and method for maintaining an impeller in a centrally located position in a pump cavity defined by an impeller housing in order to reduce noise and vibration between the impeller and the impeller housing. The system and method include situating an end or tip of the impeller in a bearing which is integrally molded onto the impeller housing at an inlet end thereof. Another embodiment illustrates the use of a locator integrally molded at the inlet end of the impeller housing and which cooperates with a locating aperture in an impeller end of the impeller to cause the impeller end to be maintained in a substantially centrally located position in the pump cavity defined by the impeller housing.

Abstract: A wiper blade assembly for a windshield wiper system of a motor vehicle is described in which a carrier yoke system which interconnects the wiper arm with the blade element is constructed of cascadingly interconnected yokes or bows. Pivot joints interconnecting the various yokes includes an opening formed in one or both of opposed yoke surfaces near the joint to expel solid foreign objects such as ice lodged there between.

Abstract: A carbon brush for an electric machine, resiliently acting on a collector, is arranged within a guideway so as to be movable radially to the collector and is inflexibly connected with a bending leg. The carbon brush allows easy and cost-saving assembly in a motor and electric contacting. The bending leg serves the resilient advance of the carbon brush towards the collector, on the one hand, and the electric power supply, on the other hand.

Abstract: A steering column switch has a spiral spring which produces a rotatable contact between terminals that are rigidly arranged on the housing of the steering column switch and terminals on the rotatable steering wheel. The receptacle for the spiral spring is attained by integrally forming an open receptacle onto the switch housing, with said receptacle being closed by a cover that can be turned relative to the housing. Consequently, the spiral spring is integrated into the switch housing such that a separate spring housing is eliminated. Advantageous additional developments of the invention pertain to an additional locking part that rotationally locks the cover relative to the switch housing while the switch is stored. The locking part also makes it possible to turn the cover only relative to the switch housing once the steering wheel is attached to the steering column.

Abstract: A multi-layer tube comprises a metal tube having an outer surface and a zinc layer bonded to the metal tube outer surface, wherein the zinc layer is selected from the group consisting of zinc plating, zinc nickel alloys, zinc cobalt alloys, zinc aluminum alloys, and mixtures thereof. A surface treatment layer is bonded to the zinc layer, wherein the surface treatment layer is selected from the group consisting of a zinc/aluminum/rare earth alloy, phosphate, chromate and mixtures thereof. A first polymeric layer is bonded to the surface treatment layer, wherein the first polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer, an ionomer, a nylon, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof. A second polymeric layer is bonded to the first polymeric layer, wherein the second polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a nylon, a thermoplastic elastomer, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: In order to configure a connecting link for articulated connecting with a wiper arm and with a control arm so that it can be connected in a dependable manner with little effort to the widely used type of wiper blade, in which an attachment bolt extends transverse to the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade in an upward open region between the two side cheeks of the wiper blade support bar, which stand apart from each other and run parallel to each other; the connecting link has a one-piece base element with a back part and a connecting part set at a distance from it in the direction of the pane to be wiped, said connecting part is designed to snap into the attachment bolt of the wiper blade support bar, and at the back part there are mutually spaced connecting elements, in particular articulated bolts attached to pivot the wiper arm and the control arm.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a washer fluid above a predetermined temperature at a point of delivery where the fluid is directed onto a windshield of a vehicle. The system and method include a washer nozzle that has an internal resistance such that, when a current is passed through the nozzle, a temperature of nozzle is maintained at a predetermined temperature which is above the freezing temperature of the fluid. In one embodiment, the nozzle body and its electrical terminals are a one-piece molded construction, with another embodiment having a plurality of metallic conductors insert-molded into the nozzle. The nozzle has a nozzle body which is molded of an electrically conductive, internally-resistive, thermo-plastic which can be energized with less than about twenty or even ten amperes so that the nozzle body temperature is maintained above, for example, one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit when an ambient temperature of about seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: A 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. A bracket is guided within a guide along a fixed path between the opened and closed positions of the door. An elongated drive member is slidably disposed within the guide and connected to the bracket at one end for driving the bracket along the fixed path. A translator mechanism operably engages with the drive member for powering movement of the door. The translator mechanism can include a rotatable hub, operably engageable with the drive member, a gear transmission for driving the hub, and a clutch mechanism for connecting the motor to the transmission. The translator mechanism preferably has sufficient power to pull the sliding door into a primary latch position with respect to the corresponding portions of a latch mechanism attached to the door and frame defining the door opening.

Abstract: An electric motor has brushes preassembled in casings on a brush holder plate. To keep the brushes in the casings as long as a collector of the motor has not yet been fitted, a retaining ring in front of the brushes is installed, this retaining ring being gradually replaced by the collector when the latter is fitted. The retaining ring is introduced into a specially provided space of an accommodating chamber in a bearing support, provided with a slot and thus resilient in a radial direction. Therefore, the ring may abut with preload on the outside walls of the accommodating chamber. Frictional engagement between the ring and the walls of the accommodating chamber is established, preventing rattling noise or wear as a result of movement of the retaining ring.

Abstract: A motor control system selectively energizes a motor winding to maximize the motors efficiency and output torque under conditions of varying rotor speed, winding temperature, and supply voltage. Motor output requirement values and sensor output is used to develop independent parameters in the translation and dilation domain from which optimal turn-on and turn-off or "conduction angles" are developed. The optimal conduction angles are processed by circuitry to generate actuation signals that selectively control the delivery of energy to the motor winding.

Abstract: A brush support plate (1) is disclosed. The current supply to the brush (21) is effected by way of conductor paths (10, 11) which are almost completely embedded into the material of the support plate. Recesses (30, 31, 32, 33) permit welding or soldering the strands (20) of the brush (21) to the conductor paths (10, 11).

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the reduction or elimination of end play associated with an armature in an electric motor is disclosed. The system and method utilize an end play assembly which includes a housing having an integrally molded lock for retaining a screw in an unengaged and locked position. The end play assembly also includes a coil spring which urges the screw towards an engaged and unlocked position when the end play assembly is mounted in a housing of the electric motor. The lock includes at least one wing portion which engages a notch on the housing of the electric motor such that when the end play assembly is mounted in the motor housing, the notch forces the lock into the unlocked position which releases the screw so that the spring can urge, rotate or screw the screw to cause a screw end to be forced into engagement with the end of an armature of the electric motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering column switch which should, with a uniform construction, be easily adaptable to different switching tasks. The invention is operated, in an optional manner, by means of microswitches which can be inserted into a mounting cavity of a carrier unit (2), whereby the cavity is positioned in the area of the grip handle (1) of the steering column switch. Advantageous further developments describe additional possibilities for the activation, independently of the rotational movement of the grip handle (1), of additional microswitches (16, 22) by means of an activation knob (23) in the activating element (1), or by means of the longitudinal movement of the grip handle (1) of displaceable contact parts (15, 22).

Abstract: A switch used with steering column assemblies includes a switch mechanism provided at the end of a switch lever. To provide a low-priced and reliable connection between the switch, mechanism and connector contacts in the housing of the steering column switch, a flexible conductor foil is used. The foil is not laid within the hollow interior of the switch lever. The switch lever is rather formed of two parts between which the conductor foil is guided. In advantageous embodiments, the contacts of the conductor foil are directly used as stationary switch contacts, the switch lever is manufactured by utilizing internal gas pressure, and the switching foil contacts are reinforced with contact plates.

Abstract: A casing for a drive unit has a casing base body which is sealed by means of a cover unit. The casing base body consists of plastic, while the cover is produced from metal. It is desirable to form the edge of the casing in such a manner that the cover is supported on the casing base body in a flat manner. Since, within molding technology, there are a few difficulties in forming a continuous edge, a number of elevations, which serve as a support surface for the cover, jut out onto the edge of the cover. By means of a finishing of the casting mold, it can be achieved, in a simple manner, that the sealing surfaces of the elevations come to lie in one plane. The sealing of the casing cover relative to the casing base body is carried out by way of a sealing unit which is supported on the edge of the casing and leaves the elevations free.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for use in an automotive vehicle. A source of hydraulic pressure selectively operates in two modes. In one mode, it feeds a radiator cooling fan and a power steering system in parallel when a system pressure or flow exceeds a predetermined pressure rate. In another mode, it feeds the radiator cooling fan and the power steering system in series when the system pressure or flow is less than the predetermined pressure or flow.

Abstract: A noise-damping or vibration-damping attachment feature for a windshield wiper system includes a damping element which is located in an opening of an attachment section of the windshield wiper system and itself supports, in a passage opening, a casing to hold an attachment screw or an attachment bolt, and to refine the aforesaid attachment feature in such a manner that it can be produced at low cost while dispensing with a manual mounting of the damping element. The attachment section and the bushing are manufactured as a single part from the same material, wherein the bushing connected by means of ridges at least temporarily to the attachment section, and the damping element is poured or injected into the space between bushing and attachment section.