Abstract: A lockable endgate for a pickup truck includes a lift handle assembly mounted within the endgate for releasably securing the endgate in a closed position. The lift handle assembly includes a lift handle actuating a pair of handle pawls which translate a pair of latching mechanisms thereby releasing the endgate from the closed position. The lockable endgate further includes a bezel mounted on the outer panel having an access hole for the lift handle to extend through. A key actuated locking cylinder is mounted to the bezel and includes a locking pawl which prevents the actuation of the handle pawls in the locked position. A rigid close out plate is also included which mounts between the locking pawl and the bezel.

Abstract: A pressurized brake bleed system includes a rigid container, a flexible container containing brake fluid disposed within the rigid container, a hose having one end connected to the flexible container and another end for connection to a fluid reservoir of a brake system and a structure to apply a force to pressurize the flexible container to bleed the brake fluid from the flexible container through the hose to the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A motor vehicle bumper energy absorber including an outer tube on a body of the motor vehicle, an inner tube and a bumper bar supported on the outer tube for linear translation between a retracted position and an extended position, an actuator for translating the inner tube and bumper bar, and a resistance medium for converting into work a fraction of the kinetic energy of an impact on the bumper bar. The actuator includes a shuttle on the inner tube, an actuator rod connected to the shuttle, and a plurality of spheres in wedge-shaped grooves in the inner tube. The actuator rod pushes the shuttle against the inner tube to translate the bumper bar from its retracted to its extended position. An impact on the bumper bar in its extended position causes the spheres to wedge against the outer tube.

Abstract: A high-frequency vehicle patch antenna such as for GPS or cellular communication systems is mounted close to the conductive roof panel on an interior surface of the vehicle windshield or backglass. Low impedance coupling to the roof panel is employed to alter the focus and gain characteristics of the antenna such that maximum antenna gain is more closely aligned to zenith, and gain improvements in the general direction over the roof panel and improved omni-directionality result.

Abstract: A method and device for brake application provides braking pressure augmentation when preferred. A power booster and master cylinder generate a braking pressure in relation to an operator's input on the brake pedal. An optional brake parameter sensor is used to determine when the power booster reaches a run-out condition. At least one control valve and pump are used to apply braking pressure in response to additional increases in brake pedal application by the operator, after the power booster reaches a run-out condition. The pump and control valve are optionally used to generate braking pressure independent of brake pedal inputs.

Abstract: A power transmission has a plurality of shift valves each of which has an engaged position and a disengaged position. Each shift valve has a pair of chambers which is selectively pressurized by a latching valve to maintain the shift valves in their respective selected positions. During a ratio change, the latching valve discontinues pressure at the respective shift valve chambers to permit the appropriate shift valve movement.

Abstract: A pick up truck configuration is adaptable for carrying a cargo load longer than the cargo box and preferably at or above the wheel covers protruding into the cargo box. An adaptable pick up truck configuration includes a cab portion and a cargo box. A box panel portion is pivotally connected to a front wall of the cargo box and is movable to a generally horizontal position in which the box panel portion partially overlies and is supported by the wheel covers. The cargo box includes a cargo box opening when the box panel portion is in the generally horizontal position. A cab panel portion is pivotally mounted to the cab portion and is movable between a generally vertical closed condition and a generally horizontal open position. The cab portion has a cab opening when the cab panel portion is in the generally horizontal position and the cab opening is at least partially aligned with the cargo box opening.

Abstract: A power transmission has a parking pawl which is engageable with a toothed member on the transmission output shaft to prevent rotation of the output shaft when the parking pawl is set. The pawl is manipulated by a manual selector shaft and a detent plate. The detent plate is also drivingly connected with a transmission range selector valve through a pin which engages an annular groove in the selector valve. The pin is driven by a cam on the detent plate and is guided in a pair of longitudinal slots formed on the valve body which slidably houses the selector valve.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic brake apply system includes an emulator that effects pedal feel simulation by allowing compliance at a selective variable rate. This provides a vehicle driver with the preferred pedal travel and feedback characteristics of a conventional master cylinder/power booster apply system. As a secondary function, the emulator is utilized to latch the modulator. This locks the modulator apply piston in place when electrical power is removed from the drive motor. Further, the emulator operates to hydraulically isolate the master cylinder from the wheel brakes during normal system operation.

Abstract: A pressure control valve system for a friction device has a regulator valve with a plurality of pressure feedback differential areas which are selectively pressurized during the engagement of a friction device to control the apply pressure at one rate during normal operation and at a higher rate during high torque demand operation. A plug valve is disposed adjacent the regulator valve to establish two variable control forces acting on the regulator valve in response to a variable control pressure. The combination of the differential areas and the plug valve permit the regulator valve to establish two distinct pressure gain functions, each of which has a knee or inflection point resulting in two pressure gain ratios.

Abstract: An orifice tube refrigerant expansion valve has an upstream particulate filter of novel design and a downstream expansion noise attenuation filter with a fail safe flow provision. The upstream particulate filter is a truncated cone of porous filter material that forms a thin manifold space inside the refrigerant line, forcing refrigerant flow into a small central bore of the filter and concentrically into the orifice tube. Leaving the orifice tube, the flow is forced axially end to end through a cylindrical body of noise muffling, porous material. Should the noise muffling cylinder become blocked, it shifts piston-like to open a bypass passage around its outer surface so that flow is not blocked through the line.

Abstract: A roll control system for a motor vehicle having a vehicle body and a pair of front or rear wheel axles, the roll control system having a first fluid damper pivotally mounted on a wheel axle between the wheel axle and the vehicle body; a first fluid actuator pivotally mounted on the wheel axle between the wheel axle and the vehicle body; a second fluid damper pivotally mounted on the other wheel axle between the other wheel axle and the vehicle body; a second fluid actuator pivotally mounted on the other wheel axle between the other wheel axle and the vehicle body; wherein the first damper has a damping and stiffness compression chamber linked by a first passage to a rebound chamber in the second actuator; wherein the second damper has a damping and stiffness compression chamber linked by a second passage to a rebound chamber in the first actuator; and fluid pressure controller connecting the first passage with the second passage or isolating the first passage from the second passage and operable, during pred

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid fan clutch effects modulated rotational motion transmission between a rotatable input shaft carrying an input clutch plate and a housing having a front cover and a rear cover forming a cavity about the input clutch plate wherein the front and rear covers operate as output clutch plates. A nonmagnetic spacer is positioned between the front and rear covers and radially outside the input clutch plate. A bearing supports the housing on the input shaft through the rear cover so that the input clutch plate is rotatable on the input shaft relative to the housing. Magnetorheological fluid is carried in the cavity, through which torque is variably transferred between the input clutch plate and the housing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a suspension damper with a welded rod fitting includes attaching a piston rod to a piston assembly. The piston assembly with the attached piston rod is inserted into a tube so that the piston rod extends from the tube. Hydraulic fluid is added to the tube either before or after the piston assembly is inserted. A rod guide assembly is slidingly received over the piston rod and is secured to the tube. An end fitting is secured in a weld fixture. The tube, containing hydraulic fluid, the piston assembly, the secured rod guide and the extending piston rod is positioned so that the piston rod abuts the end fitting. An electrical current is passed through the end fitting and the piston rod. The piston rod is moved away from the end fitting forming a gap as the electrical current is passing through the end fitting and the piston rod so that an arc is established across the gap to weld the end fitting to the piston rod.

Abstract: A split rotor cooling fan clutch includes an input member that is constantly driven at engine speed, or at some selected proportion thereof. An output member is journaled on the input member so as to be supported thereon in a substantially nonrotating state when decoupled and alternately, to be concentrically rotatable in concert therewith at a variety of speeds. A space presented between the input and output members contains a quantity of magnetorheological fluid. An engagement mechanism includes the split rotor and coil, with a ferromagnetic element positioned to define an operative gap between the rotor and the ferromagnetic element. The coil is selectively energized with a given current to result in a torque transfer between the input and output elements that provides a rotational speed of the fan tailored to the cooling requirements of the associated engine. Internal heat generation is managed electronically to prevent overheating.

Abstract: A proportional pressure control solenoid valve includes a valve spool with dual feedback pins slidable relative to the spool within a common bore of the spool as the spool moves. The feedback pins have unequal cross sectional areas defining an operative feedback area and enabling minimization of the valve's size in a cost efficient manner. To control output pressure as a function of control current, an electro-magnetically generated force initiates modulation of the valve with assistance from a hydraulic feedback force and in opposition to the force of modulating spring.

Abstract: A friction brake assembly has a plurality of first plates having external teeth engaged in spline teeth formed in a housing, second plates having internal teeth engaged in spline teeth on a transmission component, and a backing plate disposed in an annular groove in the first housing. The backing plate has a toothed outer periphery which is alignable with the spline teeth of the housing. The teeth on the backing plate and the housing spline teeth have alignable apertures or bores formed therein and adapted to receive at least one pin member which restrains relative rotation between the housing and the backing plate. The pin has a finger portion which engages in a second aperture in the housing to inhibit unintentional removal of the pin.

Abstract: A solid axle is laterally positioned by a pan-hard rod. The fore, aft and vertical position of the axle is controlled by a combination of a windup link and a canted position link. The position link is attached to the body or frame of the vehicle at one of its ends and at its other end it is attached to the windup link. One end of the windup link is attached to the axle and the other is attached to the vehicle body or frame. The geometric relationship between the windup link and the position link determine the ride and roll motion of the axle and the wheel centers. Advantageously, the unique arrangement of the windup link and position link effect a roll steer characteristic that is independent of side view wheel path motion.

Abstract: A wire lead strain relief mechanism includes a housing having a first wall and a second wall located in substantially parallel and spaced apart positions. The first wall carries a pair of spaced apart terminals and the second wall includes a generally flat surface with a pair of posts including a first post and a fifth post that are spaced apart a distance further than the terminals are spaced apart. The generally flat surface also has a set of three posts including a second post, a third post, and a fourth post all three positioned substantially in line with the first and fifth posts and substantially centered between the first and fifth posts. A wound coil is carried in the housing between the first and second walls and has a pair of terminal ends each engaging one of the terminals.

Abstract: A damper with continuously variable rates in both extension and compression operation is provided. The damper includes a single tube carrying a piston having at least one pressure chamber and separating the tube into extension and compression chambers. A bi-directional control valve is carried by the piston. The control valve includes a first annular disc carrying a seal and separating the pressure chamber from the extension chamber. A second annular disc carrying a seal separates the pressure chamber from the compression chamber. The discs are variably deflectable under fluid force to provide an opening through the piston. A pair of armatures control the fluid pressure in the pressure chamber to change the deflective characteristics of the discs by varying a backpressure in the pressure chamber. A coil is positioned near the first and second armatures and is operable to draw both the first and the second armatures to close the passages.