Abstract: A camshaft phase controlling device which has a quill shaft extending through a hollow camshaft and has one end of the quill shaft directly connected to the drive gear with the other end of the quill shaft formed with helical splines that are connected through a connector member to straight splines formed on the inside diameter of the hollow camshaft so that axial movement of a connector member located between the helical splines and the straight splines serves to rotate the camshaft a predetermined distance upon actuation of an electric stepper motor.

Abstract: An improved cushioning bumper and stop member for a pivotal door such as used to cover a fuel opening in a vehicle body which is designed to be indexed by rotation in its mount to a precise position for establishing the door's closed position to create an outer surface flush with the surrounding surface of a vehicle body. The adjustable cushioning bumper member is mounted in a recessed door mount assembly so that it can be manually indexed by rotation to a desirable optimum position establishing the door's surface at a desired planar orientation relative to the vehicle's adjacent body surface.

Abstract: A ball-nut transmission in which each of the balls used for transferring drive between a shaft member and a nut member are encapsulated between a hemispherical cavity formed in one of the members and a helical groove provided in the other of the members.

Abstract: A fuel sending unit assembly includes a pump for pumping fuel from a storage system to a combustion system, a float for measuring the level of fuel remaining in the storage system, and a filter for preventing debris contained in the fuel from entering the combustion system. The assembly is characterized by the filter being attached to the float. In this manner, the assembly intakes fuel from the fuel surface rather than debris or liquid contaminants which have settled on the bottom of the tank. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly further includes a tube for attaching the float to the pump and for channeling fuel from the filter to the pump.

Abstract: An exhaust gas turbocharging system for an internal combustion engine including a turbine portion with adjustable turbine geometry for powering a compressor portion which delivers a pressurized charge air mass flow to the internal combustion engine air intake. A charge regulator controls the turbine geometry so that the cross-section of exhaust gas flow to the turbine portion is decreased with an increased working load of the internal combustion engine. It is further proposed that at least one heat exchanger is exposed to the charge air circuit so that heated air is fed thereto for heating such as to heat engine lubricating oil.

Abstract: A new and improved two-part variable valve timing mechanism which has an axially movable quill shaft extending through a hollow camshaft and has one end of the quill shaft directly connected to the camshaft through straight splines and indirectly connected to helical splines so that axial movement of the quill shaft provided by a ball nut transmission located at the other end of the quill shaft serves to angularly reposition the camshaft a predetermined distance upon actuation of an electric stepper motor.

Abstract: Coolant pump service in a crowded engine compartment is provided by forming the side wall of the pump drive pulley with a centralized and radially lobed opening which can accommodate the radial arms of the drive hub that are normally connected by screws to the pulley side wall. The drive hub is fixed to the outboard end of the coolant pump drive shaft that extends through the housing of the pump that is removably secured by screws to the block of an internal combustion engine. The pump impeller is mounted on the inboard end of the drive shaft for fluid pumping operation in a coolant-receiving cavity in the coolant circuit of the engine. In the event of interference, which prevents or hampers the removal of the pulley axially from the drive shaft, the hub screws are removed and the pulley is turned into alignment with the lobes of the opening so that the pump housing screws are accessible.

Abstract: A check valve which fits within a multi-diametered shouldered cavity formed within a pump valve body of a transmission. The check valve assembly has a movable valve element with a head to seal an annular aperture in a separator plate of the transmission. The valve element further has a stem axially extending into the cavity. The stem has an enlarged annular end. A base retainer has a spline formation in a central opening which allows the enlarged annular end of the stem to be inserted therein. After relative rotation between the base retainer and the stem of the valve element, the valve element is captured to the base retainer. A spring is captured between the stem of the valve element and the base retainer to bias the head of the valve element against the aperture provided in the transmission separator plate.

Abstract: In the method, the intake air for an internal combustion engine is heated both during the starting and/or warm-running phases by at least one electrically heatable heating element arranged upstream of the air inlet to the internal combustion engine and wherein the heating period for the pre-start is selected on the basis of the temperature of the cooling water of the internal combustion engine and the temperature of the unheated air taken in by the internal combustion engine, and the heating period for the post-start is selected independently of the pre-start heating time and selected solely on the basis of the cooling-water temperature.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has a thin wall with a sleeve fitting operatively connected thereto and an interior bore in the sleeve fitting to receive the end of a tube. The sleeve fitting has an annular shoulder collar formation thereon spaced from the adjacent thin wall which engages an assembled locking ring which is assembled over the sleeve fitting by axial movement along the sleeve fitting. An assembly member applies a force against the locking ring to cause it to slide over the sleeve fitting and radially inwardly constrict the sleeve fitting against the tube thus forming a permanent mechanical seal therebetween while simultaneously, another assembly member supports the sleeve fitting at the shoulder collar to prevent transmission of force from the first assembly member to the thin wall of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An engine block includes a unitary engine block casing having a cylinder wall and an upper peripheral wall spaced from the cylinder wall to define an open channel therebetween. The channel has a bottom formed by a portion of the engine block casing and an open top formed between the cylinder wall and the peripheral wall. An independent insert member is disposed in the open top of the channel extending between the cylinder wall and the peripheral wall for providing structural support between the cylinder wall and the peripheral wall. The invention further includes a method for diecasting the engine block using permanent molds.

Abstract: A shroud for a vehicle engine cooling fan mounted to a generally rectangular radiator that has fixed air guide vanes in strategic areas of the shroud outside of the periphery of the fan blades to direct and channel streams of peripheral air flowing through the corners of the radiator into these areas inward and in a swirling pattern into the fan blades and more particularly in a generally smooth and circuitous path counter to the direction of rotation of the fan and directly onto the pumping surfaces of the fan blades. This effectively feeds additional air into the fan and preloads the blades so that air pumping efficiency is resultantly improved and more air is moved through the radiator for improved heat exchange.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for leak testing a first and a second cavity of a part. A fixture is provided for engaging and individually sealing the cavities of the part. Pressurized fluid from a pressure source is introduced into each of the cavities. The first cavity is allowed to stabilize and its leak rate is measured using a pressure-measuring device. The first cavity is then vented. Upon stabilization of the second cavity, the leak rate thereof is similarly measured. The second cavity is then also vented. The leak rates are then evaluated to determine if a leak is present in either of the cavities.

Abstract: A framing structure for the rear portion of an automotive, including a pair of spaced and generally vertically oriented suspension strut towers each tower fixed at lower and upper end portions to a lower cross beam and an upper cross beam respectively and with each cross beam extending the full width of the vehicle and with each beam having a closed cross-sectional configuration to providing a high degree of structural rigidity as a mounting platform for the left and right rear wheel suspensions. A yoke-like structure on the upper ends of each suspension strut tower supports an end portion of the upper cross beam, each yoke including a pair of spaced side walls between which an end portion of the beam extends so that in vehicle assembly the beam's end portions are positioned or floated in a respective yoke in sliding engagement between the spaced side walls which permits independent lateral shifting of the upper end portion of each strut tower into desired alignment with the vehicle and with one another.

Abstract: A cover plate for an instrument panel carrying a captured fastener adapted to be assembled to an underlying instrument panel support structure by a closely overlying and sliding motion of the cover plate relative to the support structure. The cover plate has a thickened boss portion formed with an internally threaded passage. The fastener has an elongated shank extending axially to the passage and includes an unthreaded mid-portion and a threaded outer end portion, terminating in a tip. A pre-assembly position of the fastener is attained by rotation of the fastener with respect to the boss's threaded portion just sufficent for supporting the fastener but not enough to advance the tip from within the boss thereby preventing the tip from projecting out from the surface of the cover plate.

Abstract: An air conditioning system including a refrigeration system with two evaporators having dissimilar heat transfer surfaces which combine to produce a cooling effect. The first evaporator includes a first heat transfer surface with a high efficiency or heat rejection (heat absorption) rate which is optimally configured for use in an environment having a low humidity level. The second evaporator includes a second heat transfer surface with a lower efficiency or lower heat rejection (heat absorption) rate as compared to the first heat transfer surface but which performs better in environments having higher humidity levels. Refrigerant to the first and second evaporators is controlled for a given ambient air humidity level to attain maximum efficiency. A cooling method for a refrigeration system is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided which has a cushion portion for alternately supporting a seated occupant or a bottom portion of a child seat. The vehicle seat also has a seatback portion with a rearward facing surface and a forward facing surface for alternately supporting a back region of a vehicle seat occupant or a seatback of a child seat. A connector receptacle is recess mounted into the rearwardly facing surface of the vehicle seatback to permit engagement with a connector extending from the seatback portion of a child's seatback. The connector receptacle has a bar onto which a hook of the connector attaches.

Abstract: A framing structure for the rear portion of an automotive, including a pair of spaced and generally vertically oriented suspension strut towers each tower fixed at lower and upper end portions to a lower cross beam and an upper cross beam respectively and with each cross beam extending the full width of the vehicle and with each beam having a closed cross-sectional configuration to providing a high degree of structural rigidity as a mounting platform for the left and right rear wheel suspensions. A yoke-like structure on the upper ends of each suspension strut tower supports an end portion of the upper cross beam, each yoke including a pair of spaced side walls between which an end portion of the beam extends so that in vehicle assembly the beam's end portions are positioned or floated in a respective yoke in sliding engagement between the spaced side walls which permits independent lateral shifting of the upper end portion of each strut tower into desired alignment with the vehicle and with one another.

Abstract: Coolant pump service in a crowded engine compartment is provided by forming the side wall of the pump drive pulley with a centralized and radially lobed opening which can accommodate the radial arms of the drive hub that are normally connected by screws to the pulley side wall. The drive hub is fixed to the outboard end of the coolant pump drive shaft that extends through the housing of the pump that is removably secured by screws to the block of an internal combustion engine. The pump impeller is mounted on the inboard end of the drive shaft for fluid pumping operation in a coolant-receiving cavity in the coolant circuit of the engine. In the event of interference, which prevents or hampers the removal of the pulley axially from the drive shaft, the hub screws are removed and the pulley is turned into alignment with the lobes of the opening so that the pump housing screws are accessible.

Abstract: An engine oil fill assembly includes a tubular pipe portion with an upper end forming with an oil inlet and a lower end forming an oil outlet and air inlet adapted to be connected to the engine crankcase. The fill pipe inlet has an enlarged mouth to facilitate the introduction of oil. The fill assembly has an air vent mechanism to vent air from the engine crankcase when its pressure is greater than atmosphere. A positive crankcase ventilation valve inhibits a reverse flow of air into the crank case. A baffle member in the fill pipe portion intercepts and collects oil from an intermixture of air and oil form the crankcase preventing the oil from passing to the engine air intake system.