Abstract: An improved transmission shift pattern control that preserves the attributes of a selected base shift pattern while dynamically adjusting the high throttle shift thresholds based on a measure of vehicle loading. Heavy vehicle loading is detected by recognizing a pattern of high engine throttle and lower than expected vehicle acceleration, and the high power shifting thresholds are dynamically adjusted based on the detected loading to automatically provide aggressive shifting in a heavily loaded vehicle without producing excessive shift cycling in a normally or lightly loaded vehicle. A throttle timer is used to detect a condition of sustained high throttle operation, and under such condition, an acceleration timer determines the duration of lower than expected acceleration. If the determined duration exceeds a threshold, a shift pattern override is activated until the acceleration rises above an exit threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for refueling a vehicle powered by an electrochemical engine comprises a fuel fill pocket accessible to the exterior of the vehicle and having an interior end with an opening to a hydrogen refueling line. The hydrogen refueling line extends between the fuel fill pocket and a storage tank in the engine. A fuel fill door conceals the fuel fill pocket when closed and operates to open for access to the fuel fill pocket. A nozzle is operably connected to a refueling station and is slideably receivable within the fuel fill pocket. The nozzle has a hydrogen input line. The refueling apparatus has a flow communication means to ensure the hydrogen input line is in flow communication with the hydrogen refueling line for delivering hydrogen. Mating communication ports in the nozzle and the fuel fill pocket operate to send and receive electronic signals therebetween and to a controller for controlling the operation of refueling.

Abstract: A seal structure has a seal lip and a splash lip. The splash lip is disposed to contact a rotating shaft at an axial location intermediate the seal lip and a support bushing to prevent a high velocity oil stream, departing between the bushing and the shaft, from impinging the seal lip prior the velocity of the oil stream being reduced.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly for a steerable rear axle of a four wheel steer motor vehicle chassis comprises a constant velocity joint drivingly interconnected with an axle shaft of the steerable rear axle, along a lateral axis defined by the axle shaft, and a wheel assembly for transmitting driving torque therebetween. A yoke has a main body portion with a central, laterally-extending pass-through for the constant velocity joint and is fixedly mounted to the chassis. The yoke has an upper and a lower ball joint arm which laterally extend towards the wheel assembly, where each ball joint arm has a ball joint passage therethrough. A knuckle for transferring steering rotation to the wheel assembly comprises a flat plate body with a central, lateral opening for the constant velocity joint to pass through and splined upper and lower ball joint pockets.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for an automatic transmission operable to reduce time delay in shifting includes a source supplying pressurized fluid through a feed orifice and a charging circuit including an accumulator. The accumulator is downstream of the feed orifice, and operates to reserve pressurized fluid supplied by the source. The hydraulic circuit also includes a clutch circuit, downstream of the charging circuit, which has a clutch hydraulically actuated and operable to generate torque to shift the automatic transmission. A valve is interposed between the charging circuit and the clutch circuit to open a flow path therebetween to start a shift cycle of the clutch. When the valve is actuated, the pressurized fluid is released from the accumulator and flows to the clutch circuit to minimize delay in the shift.

Abstract: An improved control apparatus that automatically maintains line balance and prevents part jam up in a manufacturing process by selectively removing parts from a conveyor line coupling successive manufacturing stations. The apparatus includes a stationary proximity sensor and air knife mounted with respect to the conveyor line, a timer, a solenoid-operated air valve for coupling the air knife to a source of compressed air, and an excess part bin adjacent the conveyor line. When the proximity sensor is closed for more than a first predetermined interval, an impending jam-up of parts is detected, and the timer activates the solenoid-operated air valve for a second predetermined interval, causing the air knife to blow one or more parts from the conveyor line into the excess parts bin. A manually operated switch may be provided for continually activating the air valve to remove all parts during maintenance operations.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for an automatic transmission operable to reduce time delay in shifting includes a source supplying pressurized fluid through a feed orifice and a charging circuit including an accumulator. The accumulator is downstream of the feed orifice, and operates to reserve pressurized fluid supplied by the source. The hydraulic circuit also includes a clutch circuit, downstream of the charging circuit, which has a clutch hydraulically actuated and operable to generate torque to shift the automatic transmission. A valve is interposed between the charging circuit and the clutch circuit to open a flow path therebetween to start a shift cycle of the clutch. When the valve is actuated, the pressurized fluid is released from the accumulator and flows to the clutch circuit to minimize delay in the shift.

Abstract: A torque converter has a lip seal abutting the torque converter impeller control pump drive hub. The drive hub is rotatably supported in a transmission housing. Oil from the drive hub side of the bushing passes through the bushing into a chamber sealed from atmosphere by the lip seal. The lip seal has a component rotatably sealing on a diameter greater than the drive hub diameter. The bushing, in one embodiment, has a control passage for exhausting a portion of the oil from the control pump side prior to reaching the chamber.

Abstract: An overhead cam engine having an engine lubrication system for delivering oil includes an engine block and a cylinder head having a deck face adapted for mating with the engine block. The deck face forms an acute angle with a horizontal plane of the engine block. A valve train has transverse camshaft journal bearing assemblies with pressurized oil orifices to lubricate the bearings, a camshaft rotatably supported by the cylinder head through the transverse camshaft journal bearing assemblies, cams disposed on the camshaft, and valves actuated by the cams. The cylinder head has a transverse bridging surface bridging the transverse camshaft journal bearing assemblies. A bore is positioned along the bridging surface with a gasket supported by the bridging surface about the bore.

Abstract: A pump and filter assembly including a filter housing secured in a pump housing. The filter housing has a filter outlet portion with a central filter outlet passage. A plurality of nozzle passages are disposed adjacent and radially outward of the filter outlet passage. The nozzles communicate with an annular recess formed in the filter outlet portion. The annular recess receives return bypassed hydraulic fluid from a regulator valve for distribution through the nozzles into an inlet stream of fluid flowing through the filter outlet passage. The inlet stream velocity is increased which increases the pressure at the pump inlet. The increased pressure at the pump inlet allows the pump to operate at higher speeds without cavitation.

Abstract: An outer member and an inner member are drivingly connected at a toothed interface. The members are restrained from axial separation by a retaining ring. The retaining ring is engaged in a groove formed in the inner member and has a pair of tabs which extend radially outward through slots in the inner member. The tabs abut an end face on the outer member thereby preventing relative axial displacement of the inner and outer members.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes engine cylinders in an engine block with intake ports to deliver charged air to the cylinders. An intake manifold conducts intake charge to the intake ports. A noise cover encapsulates the intake manifold. The noise cover comprises a noise abatement element substantially covering the intake manifold to abate noise transmitted by the intake manifold and a shell to encapsulate the noise abatement element. The shell is comprised of first and second portions, fastened to each other by integral-to-the-shell fasteners, to secure the noise cover about the intake manifold without mounting the noise cover to a potential noise source.

Abstract: A control for a continuously variable unit (CVU) provides control pressures to the variable sheave portions of the CVU pulleys. A first of the pulleys has a direct control pressure and the second of the pulleys has a control pressure proportional to the direct control pressure. The proportional pressure is established by a pair of control valves. One of the control valves issues a bias pressure, proportional to the commanded ratio in the CVU, to the other of the control valves. The other control valve communicates a sheave control pressure, proportional to or equal to the bias pressure, to the second pulley to control the relative position of the variable sheave.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic transmission control has a pair of solenoid valves which are energized individually to provide a forward drive or a reverse drive. A mode mechanism downstream of the solenoid valves is actuated to a forward or reverse mode depending on which solenoid is actuated. The hydraulic fluid downstream of the solenoid valves is also effective to actuate one of two disable valves. When the forward solenoid is selected, the reverse disable valve is actuated and vice versa. In the event that hydraulic pressure is inadvertently directed to the forward and reverse drives simultaneously, both disable valves are actuated and the transmission control is placed in neutral.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a cup-shaped check valve housing having a cylindrical wall, an open end, and an upstream closed end, to define a chamber. An inlet passage extends through the closed end to introduce flow to the chamber. A filter assembly is received in the chamber, adjacent the upstream closed end of the check valve housing. A valve seat member is received in the chamber, downstream of the filter assembly, and has an annular ring slidingly received in the cylindrical wall and a valve seat extending radially inward from the annular ring with a central opening. A circular valve disk is oriented in the chamber, downstream of the valve seat member, and operates to close the central opening to prevent flow upstream through the check valve assembly and to flex allowing flow downstream through the central opening.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a valve drive arrangement for an internal combustion engine comprising cylinders each having an intake valve and an intake channel leading to the intake valve. The intake channel is divided into two partial channels near the cylinder. One of the partial channels may also be made switchable by including a switchable flow blocking device. A rocker arm acts on the valve and a push rod is arranged between an in-block camshaft and the rocker arm. The push rod activating the rocker arm for the intake valve is guided by a passage between the two partial channels of the intake channel. In this way, despite the restricted space in the cylinder head, both partial channels are designed relatively wide and well adapted to the flow required.

Abstract: An induction assembly for a supercharged internal combustion engine includes a housing and a supercharger with a rotor and gear plate assembly to produce pressurized air. The housing includes a rotor casing which defines a central chamber to house the rotor and gear plate assembly. The housing also includes a suction inlet to introduce air to the central chamber and an outlet to discharge pressurized air from the central chamber to a plenum. The housing further includes intake runners which are in fluid communication with the plenum. The intake runners are radially adjacent to the exterior of the rotor casing such that the rotor casing comprises the inner wall of the intake runners. The plenum is defined by a removable cover and the housing. The removable cover has a central lengthwise bead and rounded surfaces resulting in the plenum being rounded and divided longitudinally.

Abstract: An overhead cam engine with an engine lubrication system comprises a valve train assembly which includes a camshaft rotatably supported by a cylinder head. An oil lubricated camshaft drive chain engages the camshaft to rotate it. A valve train lubricating assembly is disposed above the cylinder head and includes a baffle, radially positioned from the drive chain, to capture oil spray departing from the drive chain and a trough positioned above the valve train assembly. The trough is configured as an upward facing U-shaped channel, including an end wall to close the trough, defining a reservoir to collect oil from the baffle. Side outlets allow oil to overflow from the trough where outward protruding dimples act as precipitation points to target lubrication onto the valve train assembly.