Abstract: A force transducer for measuring loads imparted to the suspension of a vehicle is provided. The force transducer comprises a hub having an aperture for receiving a first component of the suspension, a seat connected to the hub for receiving a second component of the suspension, an outer ring having a plurality of arms that connect the outer ring to the hub, and a plurality of strain gauges connected to the plurality of arms that produce a signal that is proportional to the strain seen in each of the arms, thereby allowing a measurement of load elements imparted to the suspension of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retractable seat assembly for a motor vehicle which is fully retractable below the level of the vehicle's floor. Typically, the invention involves a bench-type seat which is located behind the driver and passenger seats of a minivan or other vehicle. In an operative position, the seat has generally upright seatback which cooperates with a lower horizontal member to provide the seating portion. In the non-operative or stored position, the entire seat assembly is positioned below the level of the vehicle's floor. In one application, the forward edge and rearward edge of the seat are interconnected to the body of the vehicle for pivotal movement about translatable and fixed axes, respectively.

Abstract: A reinforced cover for a vehicle spare tire storage system. A cover for vehicle spare tire storage system is reinforced through a reinforcing structure including a plurality of radial reinforcing members. The members are formed from a blow molded dual layer cover by pressing together the two layers at certain points to form a series of "tack-offs" or cleats which in turn create channels. A peripheral flange extends perpendicular to the cover around the perimeter of the cover for engagement with the floor of the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the reinforcing structure further includes a plurality of arcuate reinforcing members.

Abstract: A water management system for venting hot air out of the engine compartment of a vehicle through the hood of the vehicle includes a louver cover positioned over vent holes in the hood. A gasket is sandwiched between the louver cover and the hood. A water tray is positioned under the hood and is bolted to the louver cover. The water tray includes an open edge that is juxtaposed with a trough in the fender of the vehicle and a barrier wall opposite the open edge. The barrier wall is slightly vertically distanced from the hood, such that hot air from the engine compartment can flow over the barrier wall and out of the vent holes, but water seeping into the vent holes is blocked by the barrier wall from entering the engine compartment, and must instead flow into the fender trough.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a vehicle instrument panel to a cross-car beam. The apparatus includes a boot having a first portion for secure attachment to an underside of the instrument panel and a second portion for frictionally retaining the cross-car beam. The apparatus further includes a mounting bracket for attaching the first portion to the instrument panel and providing additional spaced apart points of attachment to the instrument panel. In one form, the second portion of the boot includes a C-shaped cross section which is resiliently deflectable. The boot is secured to the instrument panel during pre-assembly of the vehicle. The configuration of the boot facilitates blind attachment of the instrument panel to the cross-car beam, without the need for any tools, during final vehicle assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining at least one of the pitch and slope of an implement on an earthmoving machine. The apparatus includes a mast connected to an upper corner of the implement, a first set of laser detectors connected to the mast, a second set of laser detectors connected to the mast, a third set of laser detectors connected to the mast, and a computer adapted to receive signals from the first, second, and third sets of laser detectors and responsively determine the angle of pitch and the angle of slope of the implement.

Abstract: A bracket includes a hollow base that can be welded to a frame rail of a vehicle. The base includes opposing U-shaped retainer arms that face each other and that define a bolt passageway therebetween. A plate including an internally tapped cylinder having a diameter less than the bolt passageway is disposed in the base between the arms, with the tapped cylinder positioned in the bolt passageway and the plate floatingly retained between the arms. With this combination of structure, the plate can move in the base. Consequently, a bolt can be engaged with a component of the rear suspension of the vehicle and advanced into the bolt passageway, and then the plate with cylinder moved as necessary to threadably engage the bolt to couple the suspension to the frame rail while absorbing minor manufacturing tolerance variations.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering system for a sport utility vehicle having a solid front axle includes a pinion gear connected to the steering column of the vehicle and a rack gear meshed with the pinion gear. A coupling segment is moved by the engagement segment, and an arm is connected to the coupling segment. A drag link in turn is connected to the arm and is coupled to a first front wheel of the vehicle. Also, a tie rod couples the first front wheel to the second front wheel of the vehicle. With this structure, rotation of the pinion gear by the steering column causes the rack gear and arm to move translationally, thereby moving the drag link to turn the first front wheel. The first front wheel cooperates with the tie rod to simultaneously turn the second front wheel.

Abstract: A method and system to determine the relationship between a laser plane and an external coordinate system using a mobile machine with a work implement is provided. The laser plane is intersected at three points by a laser receiver installed on a mast attached to the work implement. A position determining antenna located a known distance on the mast from the laser receiver is used to determine external coordinates at the position determining antenna point. An equation for the laser plane in external coordinate terms is determined based on the three external position coordinates and the known distance between the external coordinate system plane and the laser plane.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for managing a resource having a stop point. Each of at least one mobile machine includes a queue manager adapted to generate a queue position request as the mobile machine approaches the resource. A resource manager is adapted to establish a queue to control access to the resource. After receiving the queue position request from the approaching mobile machine, the resource manager generates a queue position and sends it to the mobile machine. The resource manager then determines the next stop point to be accessed. When the resource is available to receive another mobile machine, the resource manger directs the first mobile machine in the selected queue to proceed to access the stop point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining and displaying a position of a work implement of a work machine in a site coordinate system is provided. First and second position sensors mounted on the work implement determine the position of the first and second position sensors and produce first and second position signals, respectively. A pitch sensor connected to the work implement senses a pitch of the work implement and responsively produces a pitch signal. A site database contains a digitized model of the work site defined by actual work site data. A controller is coupled to the first and second position sensors and the pitch sensor. The controller receives the first and second position and pitch signals, determines the position of the work implement in the site coordinate system as a function of the first and second position signals and the pitch signal, and updates the actual work site data as a function of the position of the work implement.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for estimating an attribute associated with a mobile machine. The machine has an engine and a powertrain. The powertrain includes a torque converter coupled to the engine. The apparatus and method sense a plurality of parameters of the machine and responsively produce a plurality of respective parameter signals and calculating an estimated value of the attribute as a function of the parameter signals using a computer based model. The apparatus and method further calculates first and second estimated values of a torque converter input torque, compares the first and second torque converter input torque estimate signals and responsively calibrates the computer based model.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly including an outer contoured panel, an inner contoured panel, the panels being connected at their side and bottom edges, and a glass and regulator track assembly adapted to being assembled through the adjacent upper edges of the panels into the space between the panels and secured to the inner panel. A majority of the inner trim is molded integrally as the surface of the inner panel, with a separately applied trim element secured to the upper edge portion of the inner panel, and an arm rest secured to the inner panel at a central portion thereof, where no integrally molded trim exists.

Abstract: A system and method for managing access to a resource by at least one mobile machine including a queue manager adapted to generate a queue position request signal as a mobile machine approaches the resource and determine if access to the resource is unsuccessful. The queue manager also generates a access status signal after access the resource. The system and method also includes a resource manager adapted to control access to the resource by the mobile machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for induction brazing wherein the induction coil's power is controlled by a closed loop temperature controller which is provided a temperature signal from a temperature sensor located proximate the brazed joint. Power is supplied to the induction coil until temperature reaches a specific set point corresponding to the desired brazing temperature of the alloy.

Abstract: A bushing removal tool includes a pressing mechanism and a threaded rod threaded through the pressing mechanism. The bushing removal tool also includes a bushing press adaptor fitting onto an end of the threaded rod. The bushing removal tool further includes a bushing receiver fitting onto the pressing mechanism and opposing the bushing adaptor.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for managing a resource having multiple entry points. Each mobile machine includes a queue manager for generating a queue position request upon approach to the resource. A resource manager establishes queues, one for each entry point to the resource, to control access to the resource. Upon receiving a queue position request from an approaching mobile machine, the resource manager determines which queue to place the mobile machine, and then generates a queue position and sends a queue position signal to the approaching mobile machine.

Abstract: A method of operating a computer to produce control software for a hydraulic system is provided. The hydraulic system includes a pump, at least one valve, a motor and an electronic controller. The method includes the steps of defining a set of valve features of the electronic controller as a function of user input; and producing control software to operate the controller as specified by said set of valve features.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for detecting a powerless condition of a reciprocating internal combustion engine is provided. The engine has a plurality of reciprocating components, at least one cylinder and a crankshaft. The method includes the steps of sensing angular velocity of the crankshaft and responsively producing an angular velocity signal and determining a rate of fuel supplied to the one cylinder and responsively producing a fuel rate signal. The method further includes the steps of determining an indicated torque for the one cylinder as a function of the angular velocity signal and the fuel rate signal and responsively producing an indicated torque signal. Further, the method includes the steps of determining a requested torque for the one cylinder as a function of the fuel rate signal and the angular velocity signal and responsively producing a requested torque signal.

Abstract: System and method for determining an operating point of a mobile machine. The invention receives GPS information from a GPS and INU information from an inertial navigational unit. A plurality of error states are modeled. The operating point of the mobile machine is determined as a function of the error states and the GPS and INU information.