Abstract: A cylinder block, often a siamese cylinder block, for an internal combustion engine having a heat pipe located in each of the common walls between adjacent cylinders where at least one of the ends of each heat pipe extends into the cylinder block coolant passage such that heat emanating from each cylinder flows into an adjacent portion of one or more heat pipes and flows through the pipes by continuous evaporation and condensation of the pipe's working fluid into the engine coolant.

Abstract: The engine or powertrain control module of a vehicle remains electrically powered after the engine is stopped and is used to assess whether there is a leak in the evaporative emissions control system. Fuel tank temperature and pressure data, as well as fuel level data, is analyzed over a brief period of time by module and, if ambient conditions are suitable, the vent on the fuel adsorption canister is closed by signal from the module. The system is thus sealed and the module then analyzes the system pressure changes over a second brief period as the fuel cools by heat loss to detect the vacuum that will occur if the system has no leak.

Abstract: A hinge trim system including a covering portion overlying at least a portion of at least one of the exposed surfaces of a hinge, wherein the covering portion can include one or more covering surfaces overlying the hinge so as to maintain a barrier surface between one or more pivot points and the covering portion. Additionally, selected portions of the covering portion move as the hinge moves so as to maintain a barrier surface over a substantial portion of the hinge as the hinge moves from one position to another.

Abstract: A viscous clutch of the magnetorheological fluid type includes an input drive member and an output driven member. A selectively energizable magnetorheological fluid is disposed in a working gap between one cylindrical member on the input member and two cylindrical members on the output shaft. A slip ring configuration on the output member is provided to permit the introduction of electrical energy to a coil assembly disposed on the output member, which coil is energized to establish a magnetic field in the working gap, thereby energizing the magnetorheological fluid. Wiper structures on the input and output members prevent the accumulation and/or centrifugal packing of the iron particles in the magnetorheological fluid adjacent the axial ends of the cylindrical members. A cavity for excess magnetorheological fluid or fluid draining from the working gap is provided between opposed members of the output member.

Abstract: A two piece retractable hard-top roof for interfacing with an automobile body assembly, the retractable hard-top roof having a forward roof component and a rearward roof component, wherein an actuation mechanism and its associated framework are not located in the passenger compartment, being generally located in a stowage compartment, and wherein a minimal fore-aft dimension is needed to accommodate storage of the retractable hard-top roof. A front end of the forward roof component is selectively affixable to the windshield trim. The rearward roof component includes a rear window, is affixed at its rear end to the actuation mechanism, and is selectively conjoined at its front end to the rear end of the forward roof component to provide a single, rigid unit.

Abstract: An improved individual cylinder fuel control method based on sampled readings of a single oxygen sensor responsive to the combined exhaust gas flow of several engine cylinders. A model-based observer is used to reproduce the imbalances of the different cylinders and a proportional-plus-integral controller is used for their elimination. Both the observer and the controller are formulated in terms of a periodic system. The observer input signal is preprocessed such that it reflects at each point of time the deviation from the current A/F-ratio mean value calculated over two engine cycles. Therefore, transient engine operating conditions do not harm the reconstruction of the cylinder imbalances dramatically. The control algorithm features process/controller synchronization based on table lookup and a mechanism to automatically adjust the mapping between the observer estimates and the corresponding cylinders if unstable control operation is detected.

Abstract: An improved connector establishes an electrical connection between an external conductor and a planar conductor of an insulated flexible circuit board, utilizing an automatically deployed cutting mechanism for removing insulative material overlying the flexible circuit conductor when the electrical connection is established. The connector includes an insulative housing having a slot for receiving an interconnect stub of the flexible circuit, and a compliantly mounted cutting mechanism electrically coupled to the external conductor. The cutting mechanism extends partially into the slot, and is compliantly displaced away from the slot as the interconnect stub is inserted into the slot. When the interconnect stub is partially extracted from the slot, the cutting mechanism forcibly engages the stub, removing a portion of the overlying insulative material, and electrically contacting the flexible circuit conductor to establish the electrical connection between it and the external conductor.

Abstract: An equipment (engine) compartment at one end of an automotive vehicle is closed by a structurally stiff hood panel having laterally opposite edges supported in side rails. The hood panel is longitudinally slidable in the side rails between a closed position covering an upper opening and an open position wherein the hood panel is moved to a longitudinally outward position along the rails to open the compartment for servicing equipment in the compartment. Releasable latches hold the hood panel closed until released for sliding to the open position with a releasable stop for full removal of the panel. The hood panel and side rails are preferably extruded members forming structurally stiff box sections that provide significant energy absorption to the front structure of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve assembly for an air conditioning system of a vehicle includes a compressor hose block having an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port is for connection to a low pressure gas and the outlet port is for connection to high pressure gas of the air conditioning system. The compressor hose block also has a connecting port interconnecting the inlet port and the outlet port. The pressure relief valve assembly further includes a valve disposed in the connecting port to allow the high pressure gas to pass from the outlet port to the inlet port when a pressure of the high pressure gas reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A four point restraint apparatus for a vehicle includes in a preferred embodiment a first pair of flexible lap belts connected at laterally opposite sides of a seat cushion with inner ends transversely connectable to one another across pelvic regions of an occupant and a second pair of flexible shoulder belts connected to a support in the vehicle body and extending forward of the seat back adjacent the neck and across the clavicle of the occupant. The shoulder belts extend from the clavicle essentially parallel downward across front edge portions of the occupant's rib cage to laterally spaced attachment with the lap belts adjacent pelvic regions of an occupant.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine fuel system has an air-assist fuel injection system. An air compressor and an ozone generator are positioned upstream of the injector system to supply a pressurized, ozone-enriched air stream to the air-assist fuel injector.

Abstract: Superplastic forming equipment and processes featuring a rotatable, low-friction stuffing unit for engagement with a blank sheet of superplastic formable metal to optimize the quantity or amount of material that is drawn onto a forming die for improved part forming. The stuffer is rotatably mounted in a chambered upper tool of the forming equipment and is offset from the forming profile of the lower forming die. The rotatable stuffer physically contacts portions of a blank sheet of heated forming material as the upper tool is lowered and effectively pulls the sheet material into the working area and around portions of the profile of the forming die in an intermediate or preforming phase of forming operation. With increased material in operative position in the die, the wall of the formed part will be intact and meet design specifications.

Abstract: A self-locking telescoping device including an outer tube, an inner tube telescoped into the outer tube having a cone-shaped ramp at an inboard end, and a plurality of metal spheres between the ramp and the outer tube. The metal spheres wedge between the ramp and the outer tube when the inner tube is thrust into the outer tube in a collapse direction thereby locking the tubes together. When the thrust is attributable to a severe impact, the spheres plastically deform the outer tube by plowing tracks therein thereby to absorb energy. The self-locking telescoping device further includes an actuator rod, a driver which translates the actuator in the collapse direction and in an expansion direction, a first clutch which translates the inner tube with the actuator rod in the expansion direction, a second clutch which translates the inner tube with the actuator rod in the collapse direction, and a tubular retainer on the actuator rod having a plurality of closed-ended slots around the metal spheres.

Abstract: A ferroelectric/pyroelectric sensor that employs a technique for determining a charge output of a pyroelectric element of the sensor by measuring the hysteresis loop output of the element several times during a particular time frame for the same temperature. An external AC signal is applied to the pyroelectric element to cause the hysteresis loop output from the element to switch polarization. The frequency of the external AC signal is greater than the frequency of a chopper selectively applying a reference temperature and a scene temperature alternately to the pyroelectric element. Each time the chopper provides the reference temperature or the scene temperature to the element, the alternating external source covers multiple cycles so that the hysteresis loop output is switched multiple times for increased signal averaging.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a backing maneuver of an automotive vehicle and trailer combination in which the vehicle has operator-actuated front wheel steering and microprocessor-actuated, reversible electric motor driven rear wheel steering. For a given initial alignment of vehicle and trailer, the computer-executed method first determines whether the driver needs to pull forward before commencing the backing operation. The driver is then requested to turn the front wheels in a direction suitable for backing the vehicle without a trailer in the desired direction. The process then determines whether the driver needs to perform counter front wheel steering before backing. Then the process controls the steering of the rear wheels during the backing operation.

Abstract: A vehicle body has a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and a second cargo compartment rearwardly adjacent the first compartment. The body includes a rear wall optionally separating the first and second compartments with a lower opening between the compartments that allows access therebetween. A closure panel is mounted in the rear wall and is movable between a panel closed position closing the opening and a panel open position allowing access through the lower opening between the compartments. An upper opening in the rear wall above the lower opening is closable by a window mounted in the body and movable to a window open position wherein the window is lowered at least partially into the closure panel, thereby permitting external access to the first compartment through the upper opening. A crossbar extends laterally in the body between the upper and lower openings and contains a window drive mechanism at least partially within the crossbar.

Abstract: A low fuel vapor emissions fuel system which reduces the need for FVCS and further obviates both the fuel pump and its return fuel line, composed generally of a rigid tank, a flexible fuel bladder within the tank, a filler pipe connecting between the fuel bladder and an exterior body location, a filler cap which removably seals the filler pipe, a fuel line from the fuel bladder to the engine, an air compression system for selectively pressurizing the cavity between the fuel bladder and the tank, and a fuel level sensor. In operation, when the ignition key is turned on, the air pump pressurizes the cavity between the tank and the fuel bladder. A program of the vehicle computer monitors the air pressure to provide a nominal fuel pressure for the engine. The air pump system further includes a vent valve, which also includes an over pressure relief valve.

Abstract: A cargo cover for a bed of a vehicle. The cargo cover includes a plurality of individual panels to cover the cargo area of the bed of a vehicle and a pair of side frames connected to sides of the bed of the vehicle. The cargo cover also includes a pair of side rails operatively cooperating with the panels and the side frames to allow the panels to slide relative to each other to open and close the cargo area of the bed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rotatable spare wheel carrier is provided for a rear compartment of a vehicle. The rotatable spare wheel carrier includes a base portion adapted to engage a spare wheel and be spaced above a base wall of a recess in a rear compartment of a vehicle. The rotatable spare wheel carrier also includes a leg portion extending downwardly and longitudinally from the base portion and a foot portion extending longitudinally from the leg portion and adapted to be secured to the base wall. The rotatable spare wheel carrier further includes a living hinge between the base portion and the leg portion to allow the base portion to rotate relative to the leg portion upon an impact on a rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle powerplant including an engine-transmission assembly has the engine and transmission connected together at adjacent ends and includes four mounting points. The engine has opposite sides each including one of the mounting points. The transmission includes a housing also having opposite sides and having an inspection opening in the housing adjacent the engine. A cover is secured to the housing and closes the inspection opening. The cover has two opposite supporting portions extending beyond the opposite sides of the transmission and each supporting portion includes one of the mounting points. The four mounting points are connectable with brackets for mounting the powerplant in a vehicle. Optionally, the mounting points include mounting pads on supporting ears of the transmission cover.