Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The distribution system includes composite nozzles having pressure-configurable orifices.

Abstract: A vehicular seating system includes a seat cushion pivotably attached to a support structure, with the said seat cushion having a stowed position and a deployed position. A base latch selectively secures the seat cushion in its deployed position. A seatback is hinged to the seat cushion, with the seatback having a folded position and an unfolded position. A base latch interlock is configured to permit the base latch to release only when the seatback is in its stowed, folded position.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner for a drive system, including a flexible, inextensible drive element, has a bi-directional travel limiter associated with a hydraulically biased tensioning cylinder. The travel limiter is bi-directional because it limits not only loading of the tensioning cylinder against a tensioner shoe in a direction tending to tighten a drive element, but also resists movement of the tensioner shoe in a direction tending to allow slack in a drive element.

Abstract: An air intake system for internal combustion engine includes an intake manifold having an inlet flange and a throttle body attached to inlet flange. The throttle body includes a matching throttle body flange which physically mates with the intake flange. A friction promoting surface having a positive coefficient of sliding friction is incorporated in at least one of the inlet flange and the throttle body flange so that sliding motion of the throttle body relative to the intake manifold will be resisted.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the invention provides for a light truck including a frame with opposing longitudinal frame rails running along each side of the vehicle. The frame rails include at least a leading portion with vertical placement lowered and selected to substantially align with a passenger car energy management structure. In this embodiment, the vertical placement of the leading portion of the light truck frame rails is selected to direct impact energy to a passenger car longitudinal energy management structure, improving vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility in the event of a front longitudinal impact with a passenger car. The present invention also provides embodiments which increase the impact energy absorption capacity of a light truck by providing geometric softening of the frame rails and material softening of the frame rails.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes one or more swinging doors which may be immobilized in a number of positions, so as to allow the doors to be used to assist passengers upon entering and leaving the vehicle. The motion of the door may be damped, or stopped entirely, either at the discretion of a vehicle occupant, or automatically, in the event that the door is driven by external forces to swing at a high rate.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated charge air system for an internal combustion engine includes an intake manifold having a number of intake runners, and a number of rotatable airflow control devices mounted within at least a portion of the intake runners. A hydraulic motor rotatably positions the airflow control devices.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying the spatial and coplanar alignment of a number of power transmission pulleys, particularly as used with an automotive internal combustion engine. A planar light source is provided at a reference location associated with the power transmission pulleys, and an illumination plane emitted by the planar light source is allowed to impinge upon the pulleys. Then, correct alignment of the pulleys is determined by comparing the locus of the intersection of the illumination plane with at least one of the pulleys with a locus of intersection of the illumination plane with another of the pulleys.

Abstract: A roof bar (10) for a motor vehicle (1) includes an elongate load carrying member (13) selectively held in a deployed position by a latch mechanism (20). A crossbar portion (15) of the elongate load carrying member (13) is wider than it is thick and is orientated such that the width of the crossbar portion (15) is vertically arranged when the roof bar (10) is in the deployed position so as to increase the resistance to vertical bending of the crossbar portion (15).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine crankshaft assembly includes a crankshaft having an output device, such as a flywheel or crankshaft damper, fastened to the crankshaft. An electronic engine control device is positioned between the crankshaft and the output device. The electronic engine control device includes a generally planar base which contacts both the output device and the crankshaft. The planar base is coated with a pressure-responsive friction-promoting material which causes the output device to be torsionally locked with respect to the crankshaft.

Abstract: A braking system for a vehicle includes an active booster master cylinder connected with the wheel cylinders, and a controller for operating active booster master cylinder during braking. The primary master cylinder, which is located remotely from the active booster master cylinder, is selectably connected with either a pedal feel emulator or a servo system which applies the brakes using the active booster master cylinder and a hydraulic output from the primary master cylinder in the event that control of the active booster master cylinder becomes impaired.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power assist steering system for use with a motor vehicle utilizing a torque sensor and an electronically controlled hydraulic valve used to supply or meter hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic cylinder that provides power assist to the steering system. The torque sensor measures driver input and provides a signal to the controller that controls an electrically actuated hydraulic valve. Additionally, steering wheel rotational speed and position are also input to the controller wherein the controller generates a steering assist command that minimizes the magnitude of difference, or error, between the steering torque reference value determined from the steering wheel speed and position and the measured torque. By doing so, the invention controls steering wheel feel, as opposed to the conventional practice of controlling the steering assist boost curve.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting system for a vehicular body component includes a base having a number of slide rails, with retainers slidingly engaged with the slide rails. Each retainer has a retention section for mounting the base to a surface within the vehicular body, which is attached to a slidably mounted pediment. Fastener retainers located within the pediments allow devices such as interior trim pieces to be attached to the adjustable mounting system.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser for an internal combustion engine includes a rotor which is rotationally coupled to a camshaft and a hydraulic positioning system for timing the rotor and camshaft with respect to the crankshaft of an engine. A bypass circuit permits hydraulic fluid, such as engine lubricating oil, to flow through at least a portion of the phaser without affecting timing of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft. In this manner, the phaser may be warmed up rapidly, without adversely affecting engine operation.

Abstract: An intake manifold system for an internal combustion engine includes inlet runners attached to a mounting flange. The inlet runners may be one piece with the mounting flange. A charge air control is mounted within the mounting flange, with the charge air control including a control shaft passage formed in the mounting flange, and a control shaft extending the length of the control shaft passage. The control shaft is journaled within the control shaft passage and carries a number of charge air control elements mounted for rotation with the control shaft.

Abstract: An integrated engine cover and exhaust gas recirculation cooler for an internal combustion engine includes a cover for enclosing a portion of an engine and an EGR cooler having a housing formed as one piece with the cover. The EGR cooler includes at least one cooler section located within the housing and EGR and bypass valves for controlling the flow of exhaust gases either though the cooler or around the cooler.

Abstract: A cylinder valve operating system for a variable displacement internal combustion engine having poppet valves includes a cam arm driven by a camshaft and a valve arm selectively driven by the cam arm. A valve arm positioner, which may be hydraulically cushioned, adjustably maintains the valve arm in contact with the valve stem when the valve arm is not being driven by the cam arm, in order that the valve arm will be accurately located for speedy and precise linkage of the cam arm to the valve arm.

Abstract: An Oldham-style coupling assembly wherein a driving shaft (12) is rotatably coupled to a driven shaft (32) using a reduced-lash flexible coupling assembly. The coupling assembly includes an intermediate coupling plate (38) stationed between the driven (32) and driving (12) shafts. A driven lug (34) associated with the driven shaft (32) has tapered contact faces (36) and engages a driving slot (40) in the center of the coupling plate (38). Likewise, a pair of diametrically opposed half-lugs (18) associated with the driving shaft (12) engage in respective half slots (42) through a similar tapered interface. Springs (28) backing each of the half lugs (18) establish a continuous axial compression force within the coupling plate (38) to urge seating of the tapered interfaces but without frustrating transverse sliding in the respective slots (40, 42), thereby taking up lash from the system. The lugs (18, 34) are oriented perpendicular relative to each other, so as to simulate a traditional Oldham-style coupling.

Abstract: A camshaft system includes a number of cam lobes locked upon a cylindrical shaft. Bearings configured with one-piece bores and are engaged with the cylindrical shaft. The bearings are captured upon the shaft by the locked-on cam lobes.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a number of power cylinders furnishing exhaust gases to at least two turbochargers having a common air inlet housing which is divided into a separate compressor housing for each of the turbochargers.