Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly preferably has a collapsible steering shaft that extends rotatably along a centerline and a collapsible column that houses and co-extends with the shaft. The column preferably has inner and outer jackets that retract axially to collapse the column. An energy absorbing device has a member engaged between the inner and outer jackets and controls the collapse of the column generally via a high load stage and a low load stage of operation. The member is preferably elongated axially having a distal end that is looped over and spaced radially outward from the remainder of the member. The distal end is attached disengagably to the outer jacket via a pin received in a hole in the distal end and a fuse engaged operably to the pin and attached to the outer jacket.

Abstract: An oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine comprising a longitudinal bore in the engine head or block connected to an engine oil pump. A longitudinal insert is disposed in the engine bore, the insert being formed and disposed to define segmented galleries within the bore, a first oil gallery being in communication with the engine camshaft bearings and a second oil gallery being in communication with switchable cam followers in the engine. The two galleries are separated but connected by one or more oil control valves. Thus, the camshaft bearings are exposed to high engine oil pressure at all times independent of the switchable cam followers; likewise, the switchable cam followers may be latched and unlatched at any time or condition deemed beneficial for engine operation without jeopardizing lubrication sufficiency to the camshaft bearings.

Abstract: The universal joint includes an outer joint member having a rotational axis and three guide grooves extending parallel to its rotational axis. The three guide grooves are equally circumferentially spaced about the axis and each has opposed side portions. The universal joint also includes an inner joint member disposed inside the outer member. The inner joint member has a rotational axis and three arms equally spaced about this rotational axis extending radially into the guide grooves of the outer joint member. Each aim carries a roller having an external surface which engages the opposed side portions of the guide groove into which the arm extends. The roller is constrained to roll along the guide groove and each roller being able to rotate about, move lengthwise of, and tilt relative to the arm by which it is carried.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column having a selectively collapsible structure that enables said column to collapse in the event of an impact force resulting from a vehicle crash. An adaptive energy absorbing device is associated with said column and operates in a first condition to absorb a first level of energy of the collapsing column and in a second condition to absorb a second level of energy of the collapsing column. The assembly includes a telltale detection device that is associated with the adaptive energy absorbing device and is responsive to a change in condition of the energy absorbing device prior to a collapse event to provide a signal to a user of the condition of the energy absorbing device.

Abstract: A power steering system for a vehicle includes a hydraulic system for controlling resistance of a steering wheel. A valve of the hydraulic system is connected to a coil which varies positioning of the valve. A method for controlling the resistance of the steering wheel includes turning the steerable wheels of the vehicle in response to rotation of the steering wheel. The angle of the steering wheel and the speed of the vehicle are sensed and inputted into a controller. A lateral acceleration is determined based on the sensed signals by the controller. A recommended current rate of the coil is determined based on the lateral acceleration. An adjustment to the recommended current rate of the coil is determined based upon the speed of the vehicle. The recommended current rate is also modified based upon the adjustment. The modified current rate of the coil is then applied to the coil to vary the stiffness of the valve, which in turn varies the resistance to turning the steerable wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A control system and a method for validating operation of the control system are provided. The control system has a first controller operably communicating with a second controller. The first and second controllers have first and second read-only memories, respectively. The method includes executing a first software program in the first controller that retrieves a first key value from the second controller. The method further includes retrieving a second key value from a table using the first key value as an index value. The table is stored in a memory that is accessible by the first software program. The method includes executing at least one mathematical operation in the first software program using at least the second key value to obtain a third key value. The method further includes sending the first and third key values from the first controller to the second controller. The method further includes determining a first validation value based on the first key value utilizing the second controller.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser having a rotational authority between 40 crank degrees before TDC and 30 crank degrees after TDC. The phaser includes a stator seat formed at a rotation position intermediate between full advance and full retard. A locking pin in a vane of the rotor engages the seat, locking the rotor at the intermediate position. The pin is disengaged by pressurized engine oil independent of oil flows for advance and retard of the rotor. The oil is controlled by a dedicated valve. Preferably, the seat and the ends of the locking pin are vented by passages in the rotor and stator which are aligned when the rotor is at the selected locking angle to remove oil resistance to entry of the pin into the seat. To position the locking pin over the seat, phasing rate is reduced to allow time for the locking pin to engage the seat.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic lash adjuster including a cup-shaped adjuster body, and a plunger assembly disposed within the adjuster body. The plunger assembly includes a stepped axial bore extending from a body inner end to a central oil passage opening onto a hemispherical pivot head. A check valve cartridge sub-assembly is disposed against the step, defining a low-pressure oil chamber in the axial bore. A lash adjustment spring is disposed against the cartridge sub-assembly in a high-pressure chamber formed between the sub-assembly and the adjuster body. The cartridge sub-assembly may be used in other hydraulic lash adjusters such as are incorporated in hydraulic valve lifters.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser includes a vaned camshaft rotor disposed within a lobed stator, defining phase advance and retard chambers filled with oil. The height of the rotor is less than the height of the stator, providing space for a vaned brake rotor alongside the camshaft rotor. The brake rotor is free to rotate independently of the camshaft rotor. The volume of each advance and retard chamber is a function of the rotational position of both the camshaft rotor and the brake rotor, and the volume of each chamber is constant. Rotation of the brake rotor in one direction causes rotation of the camshaft rotor in the opposite direction. The brake rotor is connected to a controllable brake mechanism. By sensing of the camshaft rotor position and feedback control of the braking mechanism, the camshaft rotor may be maintained at any position.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser comprising first and second harmonic gear drive (HD) units disposed in back-to-back relationship. Each HD includes an elliptical wave generator (WG), a flexspline (FS) deformable by the WG, and a circular spline (CS) for engaging the FS. A dynamic spline (DS) connects the first and second FSs. The first HD is an input HD driven by an engine crankshaft via a sprocket wheel connected to the input CS. The second HD is an output HD driving an engine camshaft. The DS is meshed with both the input FS and the output FS. The phase relationship between the crankshaft and the camshaft may be changed by changing the angular relationship between the first and second WGs. Such change is effected by holding the first WG stationary and varying the angular position of the second WG via an electric motor.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for determining a process plan for forming at least one feature in a part are provided. The method includes automatically identifying first and second features to be formed in the part by accessing first and second feature parameter data, respectively, stored in a CAD model of the part. The method further includes selecting at least a first manufacturing task identifier associated with a first manufacturing task for forming the first and second features in the part. The first manufacturing task identifier is selected from a plurality of manufacturing task identifiers stored in one or more databases. The method further includes selecting a first machine identifier associated with a first machine for performing at least the first manufacturing task, the first machine identifier being selected from a plurality of machine identifiers stored in one or more databases.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly having a steering column member for first pivotal movement about a first pivoting axis. The steering column assembly also includes a lever supported for second pivotal movement about a fulcrum. The lever includes a first end pivotally attached to the steering column member and a second end on an opposite side of the fulcrum relative to the first end. The steering column assembly also includes a lock operable to apply a locking force to selectively lock the second end.

Abstract: A method for implementing a virtual inspection of a virtually machined workpiece is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes defining a set of master reference planes, defining a set of positioning planes with respect to the set of master reference planes, and defining a pair of intersecting cutting planes from the set of positioning planes. The pair of intersecting cutting planes define an inspection line at the intersection thereof, wherein the inspection line is swept through a selected area of the workpiece, thereby collecting inspection data for the workpiece.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method, system and storage medium for providing supplier branding services over a communications network. The system comprises an information exchange system including a server in communication with a data storage device via a communications link. The server executes web server software for hosting and serving web pages and applications software including a branding tool for creating and disseminating branded information. The data storage device houses a database storing supplier subscription records for facilitating portal services. The supplier subscription records include customer target records. The database also stores customer profile records. The system also includes a link to an enterprise portal site of a registered customer system; and a link to a subscribing supplier system.

Abstract: An electromechanical VVA system for controlling the poppet valves in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The system varies valve lift, duration, and phasing in a dependent manner for one or more banks of engine valves. A rocker subassembly for each valve is pivotably disposed in roller bearings on a rocker pivot shaft between the camshaft and a roller follower. A control shaft supports the rocker pivot shaft for controlling a plurality of rocker subassemblies mounted in roller bearings for a plurality of engine cylinders. The control shaft rotates about its axis to displace the rocker pivot shaft and change the angular relationship of the rocker subassembly to the camshaft, thus changing the valve opening, closing, lift and duration. An actuator attached to the control shaft includes a worm gear drive for positively rotating the control shaft.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes a rotor, a stator, a torsional rotor bias spring, and a spring retainer wherein the spring retainer is fixed to either the rotor or stator when the nominal spring preload is reached to retain the nominal spring preload in said phaser. In one embodiment, the rotor has a bore formed therein, and the spring retainer has an arcuate slot coincident with the rotor bore. The spring retainer is rotated past the rotor until a predetermined spring preload is achieved. A retaining feature is installed through the arcuate slot into the rotor bore, thereby biasing the rotor in the predetermined bias position at the predetermined bias spring preload. In another embodiment, the spring retainer is a rotatable cam feature that becomes fixed to the stator after spring adjustment is complete.

Abstract: A deactivating hydraulic valve mechanism includes a hydraulic element assembly disposed within cup within a pin housing slidably disposed within a bore in a body. A transverse bore in the pin housing contains selectively-retractable locking pins that engage a locking feature in the body to selectively lock together the body and the pin housing. A lost motion spring is disposed in a vented annular chamber between the body and the pin housing. An oil passage from an engine gallery to the hydraulic element assembly includes an axial component formed in the cup and bypasses the lost motion chamber. A ring holds the lifter assembly together and also sets mechanical lash. The ring may combine a standard-thickness ring and a shim selected to provided a predetermined amount of mechanical lash in the assembled mechanism to ensure facile engagement and disengagement of the locking pins in the body.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for operating a vehicle packages mechanical components and electrical devices normally found in or around the steering column of the vehicle into a single unit. An on-board processor accepts signals from the electrical devices, which may include motor actuators for steering column adjustments and/or pedal position adjustments. The on-board processor connects to a vehicle communications bus to communicate data received from the electrical devices to various systems throughout the vehicle. The on-board processor also receives data from the various systems. The steering column assembly also includes a display connected to the on-board processor. The display and on-board processor moves with the steering column as it is adjusted for telescope and/or tilt position. The operator receives information about the operation of the vehicle from the display.