Abstract: A bearing configuration in which a shaft is supported by a first and second bearings, the second bearing being spaced from the first bearing. The first bearing and said second bearing are supported by a corresponding first bore and second bore in a shaft housing, a first axis being coincident with an axis of the first bore and a second axis being coincident with an axis of the second bore. The first axis and the second axis are purposefully offset from one another a sufficient distance to substantially eliminate internal clearance within the first bearing.

Abstract: A piston damper assembly includes a piston damper and a relative velocity sensor. The piston damper includes a damper body, a piston rod, and a dust tube which is attached to the piston rod. The relative velocity sensor includes an axially extending first magnet supported by the dust tube, a flux collector, and a first sensor coil. The flux collector is supported by the dust tube, includes an axially-extending first prong in axially-extending contact with the first magnet, includes an axially-extending second prong, and includes a joining member connecting the first and second prongs. The first sensor coil surrounds the joining member and/or one of the first and second prongs. A piston-damper dust tube subassembly includes the dust tube and the relative velocity sensor.

Abstract: A suspension damper comprises a cylinder tube and a control partition. The cylinder tube is disposed within a reservoir tube to define a fluid reservoir, and has at least one first hole. The control partition is disposed in the fluid reservoir, and communicates with the at least one hole.

Abstract: The piston for a magneto-rheological fluid system is manufactured from a piston skirt of a material having a high magnetic permeability and a piston plate which closes one end of the piston skirt having a low magnetic permeability and therefore must be made out of a material such as stainless steel. The piston is manufactured by placing the plate on one electrode and clamping another set of electrodes against the outer circumferential surface of the piston ring or skirt. The plate and ring are brought into contact with one another while applying a current through the piston ring and the piston plate, thereby heating interfering portions of the ring and plate and permitting the plate to be forced inside of the ring while at the same time allowing the softened or plastic portions of the ring and plate to intermingle with one another and thus form a solid state bond.

Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting a vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system is disclosed. The VSE system is used in conjunction with a steering system having a plurality of driver-selectable steering modes associated therewith. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes configuring a reference model within the VSE system to generate desired vehicle handling aspects, the desired vehicle handling aspects being a function of one or more driver inputs to the steering system. Then, a determination is made as to which of the plurality of driver-selectable steering modes is activated, wherein each of the desired vehicle handling aspects generated is made further dependent upon a specific steering mode selected.

Abstract: A steering column assembly has a tilt head for rotating a steering column. A spring lock assembly locks the tilt head in any of an infinite number of pivotally adjusted positions and includes a locking bar and a coil spring. The coil spring has coils which are wrapped around and grip the locking bar to lock the tilt head in a selected pivotally adjusted position. A tilt release is provided to release the grip of the coils on the locking bar to enable the tilt head to be pivoted to another pivotally adjusted position.

Abstract: A torque sensor apparatus and method for use with an automotive steering system is disclosed. The torque sensor apparatus includes a shaft having a primary shaft coaxially connected to a secondary shaft and a first substrate operably connected to the primary shaft oriented substantially perpendicular to an axis defining the shaft. A second substrate is operably connected to the secondary shaft oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis. First and second substrates each have an aperture therethrough configured to receive an alignment pin therethrough. First and second substrates are substantially parallel to each other defining an electrical interface therebetween that is configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of torque applied to the shaft.

Abstract: A steering shaft assembly has a tubular main body and a shaft, with a spring and a sleeve disposed at least partially therebetween. The shaft is disposed at least partially in the tubular main body and the sleeve is disposed at least partially between the spring and the main body. The sleeve acts to urge the spring into frictional contact with the shaft to impart an axial resistance force supporting the shaft against axial displacement in response to application of an axial force on the shaft less than the axial resistance force. The sleeve enables axial displacement of the shaft in response to application of an axial collapsing force exceeding the axial resistance force. In another construction of a steering shaft assembly, a shaft is disposed at least partially in the tubular main body and the spring is disposed at least partially in the tubular main body between the tubular main body and the shaft. The spring acts to impart a radial load between the shaft and the tubular main body.

Abstract: A vehicle corner apparatus and method of fabricating a vehicle corner apparatus, utilize a wheel spindle adapted for receiving a self-tapping screw for securing a brake rotor to the wheel spindle. Using a self-tapping screw allows manufacturing and assembly costs to be significantly reduced, in comparison to prior vehicle corners that used a machine screw and a threaded hole in a wheel spindle for securing a rotor to the spindle, and provides greater assurance that the lateral run out of the brake rotor will be maintained at a lower value than can be achieved in prior vehicle corners. The wheel spindle includes a retaining screw hole having a conical web adapted to receive and facilitate installation and increase holding force of the self-tapping screw. The retaining screw hole may also include a counter bore for receipt of a locator pin that is used during subsequent formation of wheel bolt holes in the spindle.

Abstract: A method of detecting a sensed parameter for a motor control system comprising: receiving a sensor signal, the sensor signal exhibiting a frequency responsive to an inductance of a non-contacting variable reluctance rotational displacement sensor, wherein the inductance is indicative of a displacement of the sensor and responsive to the sensed parameter; capturing a first transition of the sensor signal and a time associated therewith; capturing a second transition of the sensor signal and a time associated therewith; calculating a period for the sensor signal; and computing a value for the sensed parameter, the value responsive to the period.

Abstract: A variable reluctance rotational displacement sensor with: an annular sleeve; a coil coaxially aligned within the sleeve; a first ring in magnetic communication with the sleeve, coaxially aligned and configured to rotate relative to the sleeve. The first ring including a first plurality of axially directed teeth arranged about a circumference of the ring on a front portion thereof. The sensor also includes a second ring in magnetic communication with the first ring and the sleeve, the second ring coaxially aligned and configured to rotate relative to the first ring and the sleeve and including a second plurality of axially directed teeth configured substantially the same as the first plurality of axially directed teeth and oriented adjacent to the first plurality of axially directed teeth on a rear portion of the second ring. The coil generates a signal responsive to a differential displacement between the first and second rings.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for controlling brake motor. The method includes receiving brake motor information, determining a first brake motor voltage value and a brake motor current value based on the motor information when the brake motor is active, determining a brake motor resistance value based on the first brake motor voltage value and the brake motor current value, determining a brake motor temperature value based on the determined brake motor resistance value, and producing a brake motor control signal based on the determined brake motor temperature value. The method may additionally include determining a second brake motor voltage value when the brake motor is inactive, and producing a motor diagnostic voltage value based on the determined second brake motor voltage value.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount provides active control through the use of a rotary track assembly connecting a primary pumping chamber of the mount to a secondary fluid chamber. With low amplitude vibrations the fluid path remains open, providing low dynamic stiffness. For high amplitude vibrations, the fluid flow path is closed, providing a high level of dynamic stiffness. The rotary track assembly control is continuously variable offering a wide range of active control of hydraulic mount stiffness.

Abstract: A method for metallurgically joining a tube to a member. A tube is obtained having a longitudinal axis and having an end portion, wherein the end portion includes a fold, and wherein the fold includes longitudinally-spaced-apart first and second fold portions. A member (such as, but not limited to, a plate or a second tube) is obtained. The tube and the member are disposed with the end portion contacting the member. A resistance welding current path is created through the tube and the member proximate the end portion and the end portion is relatively longitudinally moved deformingly against the member creating a weld zone which includes at least some of the end portion and at least some of the member.

Abstract: A disc brake system of the kind comprising an axially fixed hub and at least one slideable brake disc comprises a resilient device acting between the disc and the hub to control certain aspects of the movement of the brake disc during use. Despite the thermal differential arising in use between the brake disc and the central hub due to the localized heat generation of the brake system and the mass and thermal capacity differences between the hub and the brake disc, whereby the hub would be expected to provide a more satisfactory mounting, the resilient device acting between the disc and the hub to control the disc dynamics is mounted on the disc.

Abstract: A method is directed to controlling a traction control system including a controllable center coupling and a controlled brake system. The method provides for receiving axle speed information, receiving a vehicle speed, determining at least one difference value between the vehicle speed and the axle speed information, and activating the controllable center coupling and the controlled brake system responsive to the difference values. The step of activating the controllable center coupling responsive to at least one of the difference values may include comparing the at least one difference value to at least one associated threshold value, and activating the controllable center coupling based on the comparison. The step of activating the controllable center coupling based on the comparison may include determining an engine torque request value based on the comparison, and engaging an engine with the controllable center coupling based on the engine torque request value.

Abstract: A resistor (having a resistance of Rs) is connected in series with an inductor whose inductance and/or resistance is desired to be determined. An alternating voltage (such as a sinusoidal voltage) is applied across the series-connected resistor and inductor, wherein the alternating voltage has a frequency ?, a unique maximum or minimum value Vm, an average value and a unique crossover of the average value. The voltage Vr is measured across the resistor when the alternating voltage is at its maximum or minimum value. The voltage Vl is measured across the resistor when the alternating voltage is at its average value. The resistance RL of the inductor is calculated from an equation in which RL is a function of Vm, Vr, Rs and Vl. The inductance L of the inductor is calculated from an equation in which L is a function of Vl, Rl, Rs, Vr and ?.

Abstract: A cardan joint is provided with a centering disk that is moveable relative to the intermediate coupling member. The invention also provides a centering disk including a plurality of tabs to support movement of the centering disk relative to the intermediate coupling member. The invention also provides a spring positioned in the centering disk to outwardly bias the ends of the shaft to maintain the contact between the shaft and the centering disk. The invention also provides means for biasing the centering disk relative to the intermediate coupling member.

Abstract: A motor vehicle strut and a rod guide assembly for the same. The strut includes a body, a rod slidable within the body, and a guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a housing assembly with a compliant member positioned adjacent a sleeve. An aperture is formed within the housing assembly. A bearing receives the rod, is positioned substantially within the aperture, and engages the sleeve. At least one seal is positioned substantially within the aperture. A seal cover and a retainer are operably attached to the housing assembly. Lateral movement of the rod causes deformation of the compliant member.

Abstract: A needle roller retainer for insertion into an outer ball of a tripot style joint includes a cylindrical portion having an inner end and an outer end, a rib portion extending from the inner end of the cylindrical portion, and a flange portion extending from the outer end of the cylindrical portion. The outer ball includes a groove for receiving the rib portion.