Abstract: A magnetorheological piston includes a body having a substantially magnetically energizable passageway and a substantially magnetically non-energizable passageway. The substantially magnetically non-energizable passageway has a valveless passageway throat and has a flow cross-sectional area which has a minimum at the passageway throat and which is larger away from the passageway throat. A magnetorheological damper includes a cylinder and the above-described magnetorheological piston, wherein the piston is positioned in, and slideably engages, the cylinder.

Abstract: An MR fluid formulation comprising water-atomized iron powder dispersed in a liquid vehicle, wherein the atomized iron powder contributes to a higher magnetic effect, a lower viscosity and suitability for high temperature applications. The magnetizable particles are prepared by controlled water atomization and comprise iron having a passivating oxide surface layer. The passivating oxide surface layer advantageously comprises iron oxide and at least one alloying metal oxide, such as manganese oxide. Advantageously, the particles have a grain size of at least 4 &mgr;m and a mean diameter in the range of about 8-25 &mgr;m. The liquid vehicle advantageously comprises a mixture of at least two liquid components of different surface functionality and an organoclay stabilization mixture in which at least one organoclay is selected for each liquid vehicle component.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, a computer usable medium including a program, and a system for determining a vehicle payload condition. The method and computer usable medium include the steps of determining a first payload-state parameter, a second payload-state parameter, and at least one roll value. A first differential is determined based on the first payload-state parameter and the second payload-state parameter. A second differential is determined based on the first payload-state parameter and the roll value. A multiplier is determined. A payload estimate is determined based on the first payload differential, the second payload differential, and the multiplier. The system includes means for achieving the method steps of the invention.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid reservoir for a hydraulic power system includes a reservoir housing having an internal chamber for containing a supply of hydraulic fluid, an outlet for communicating the fluid from the housing to an inlet of a hydraulic pump, and a return flow inlet for receiving a return flow of fluid into the chamber. The reservoir includes a flow diffuser having a diffuser inlet communicating with the return flow inlet for receiving at least a fraction of the return flow into the diffuser. The diffuser has an inner fluid guide wall that is preferably conical which diverges in the downstream direction in order to quiet any turbulence in the flow within the diffuser and to discharge into the bulk of the fluid into the chamber to be deaerated.

Abstract: A worm/worm gear assembly comprises a worm having teeth defined by at least one thread disposed thereon and a worm gear having teeth protruding from a surface thereof. At least one of the worm and the worm gear is fabricated from a resilient material. The teeth of the worm and the teeth of the worm gear are interengaged and in a compressive relationship with each other to maintain double flank contact therebetween. At low- or no-load conditions, the double flank contact is made at the opposing outer edges of each of the teeth. At moderate-load conditions, the contact extends from the opposing outer edges of each of the teeth toward the center of each of the teeth. A method for delashing a gear system comprises disposing the worm in mechanical communication with the worm gear and loading the worm gear to cause the worm gear to compressively engage the worm.

Abstract: A tripot joint (10) includes a tripot housing (12) having three guide channels (24) receiving three corresponding trunnions (20) of a tripot spider (16). A ball assembly (28) is mounted on each of the trunnions (20) and received in the guide channels (24). The ball assembly includes an inner ball (30), and outer ball (40), and a complement of roller elements (52). The inner balls (30) are slidable axially on the roller elements (52) relative to the outer balls (40). Each ball assembly (28) includes at least one yieldable retainer (58) mounted on the outer ball (40) and projecting into the axial sliding path of the inner ball (30) in at least partial overlapping relation to the inner ball (30). The yieldable retainers secure the inner and outer balls (30, 40) against axial separation prior to joining the ball assemblies (28) with the trunnions (20) and guide channels (24).

Abstract: A telescopic tripot universal joint comprises an outer drive member having three longitudinal drive channels which include two opposing concave side surfaces having a parabolic profile, an inner drive member having three radial trunnions having a radially outward facing semi-spherical surface for tiltably mounting a drive ball assembly which has a bearing train disposed radially between an inner ball tiltably engaged to the trunnion and an outer ball having a tread face which directly opposes the concave side surfaces of the drive channels. The parabolic side surface has a radially outward portion having a smaller radius of curvature than a radial inward portion of the parabolic side surface. Moreover, the radius of the inward portion is equal to or greater than the maximum radius of the outer ball thereby assuring the tread face of the outer ball does not bind against the inward portion of the parabolic side surface on the unloaded side.

Abstract: A fluid sealing system constructed according to the invention includes a fluid housing having at least the fluid ports disposed in laterally fixed, parallel relation to one another. Within each port there is disposed a fluid seal. At least two associated fluid conduits are provided having distal ends which are extendible into their associated fluid ports into sealing engagement with the fluid seals. A retaining plate supports the conduits in laterally spaced, parallel relationship with one another in such a way that the conduits can move relative to one another in the lateral direction to enable the conduits to be installed together as a bundled unit while enabling for adjustment in the lateral spacing of the conduits during installation to achieve matched alignment between the spacing of the conduits and the fixed spacing of the fluid ports.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling and manufacturing for concurrent product and process design, comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part establishing a coordinate system; and creating a master product and process concurrent model comprising: a virtual blank corresponding to the blank; a manufacturing feature; virtual machining of the manufacturing feature into the virtual blank; where the manufacturing feature exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. The method also includes generating a product drawing of the actual part; and generating machining instructions to create the actual part by machining the manufacturing feature into the blank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for adjusting the axial distance between the front and rear walls of a vacuum booster, from outside of the booster, after the booster has been assembled. The booster includes a housing having a front housing and a rear housing joined together and defining a longitudinal axis of the booster. The front housing defines a front wall of the housing and an inner surface of the front wall. The rear housing defines a rear wall of the housing and includes a captive nut having threads adapted for threaded engagement with a threaded end of a tie rod. The front and rear walls are spaced an axial distance from one another along the longitudinal axis. A tie rod extends axially through the housing and has a first end engaging the rear wall of the housing and a second end engaging the front wall of the housing. The first end of the tie rod has threads for engaging the threads of the captive nut in the rear wall of the housing.

Abstract: A wheel-speed-sensor connector-plug bracket and a vehicle wheel bearing including such bracket. The bracket is adapted for removable attachment to a sensor ring of a wheel speed sensor of a vehicle wheel bearing, is adapted for attachment to a non-bearing vehicle component, and is adapted for attaching thereto a connector plug of the wheel speed sensor. The wheel bearing includes a vehicle-wheel-bearing non-rotatable section and a wheel speed sensor having a sensor ring assembly. The sensor ring assembly has a sensor ring attached to the non-rotatable section, a connector plug adapted for electrical connection to a vehicle computer cable, an electrical conductor, and a bracket. The electrical conductor electrically connects the sensor ring to the connector plug. The bracket is adapted for removable attachment to the sensor ring, and is adapted for attachment to a non-bearing vehicle component. The connector plug is attachable to the bracket.

Abstract: A wheel-speed sensor mechanism assembly, a vehicle wheel bearing including such assembly and a wheel speed sensor. The assembly includes a vehicle wheel-speed sensor mechanism (such as, but not limited to, an ABS wheel-speed sensor mechanism), a sensor-mechanism housing supporting the sensor mechanism, and an electrical plug. The electrical plug is substantially immovable attached to the sensor-mechanism housing, is electrically connected to the sensor mechanism and is adapted for electrical connection to a vehicle wire. The vehicle wheel bearing includes a target ring attached to a rotatable section of the wheel bearing and includes a sensor mechanism assembly having a sensor mechanism, a sensor-mechanism housing, and the previously-described electrical plug wherein the vehicle wire is a vehicle computer cable. The sensor mechanism senses rotation of the target ring. The sensor-mechanism housing supports the sensor mechanism and is attached to a non-rotatable section of the wheel bearing.

Abstract: A master cylinder comprises a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a proportioner valve. The secondary piston is engaged with the primary piston, and the proportioner valve is disposed within the secondary piston.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint of tripod type which is both highly strong and durable, and which can maintain a low axial force and low shudder when transmitting torque at a joint angle. The constant velocity joint of tripod type comprises a roller assembly including an outer roller, an inner roller and a needle bearing located therebetween. The outer roller is provided with needle bearing retaining rings and needle bearing stop rings, at each of its upper and lower ends, respectively. The inner roller moves relative to the outer roller in the axial direction. The outer face of the inner roller and the inner face of the outer roller have generally spherical shapes of dimensions similar to each other to freely engage, respectively. The outer face of the trunnion is provided with a partially cylindrical portion with inclined relative to a trunnion centerline.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column has a rake adjustment mechanism which includes a rake bracket having a rake slot provided with rake slot teeth. A tooth lock is supported in the rake slot with teeth opposing the rake slot teeth. A rake bolt is rotatable to a first rotative position to move the tooth lock to a retracted position with the teeth of the tooth lock out of engagement with the rake slot teeth. The bolt is axially rotatable to a second rotative position permitting the tooth lock to be moved to a locking position by a spring in which the teeth of the tooth lock engage the rake slot teeth. The bolt, when in the second rotative position, is movable, in response to an application of an impact force on the steering column to collapse the steering column, into bearing engagement with the tooth lock to positively retain the tooth lock in the locking position. The steering column is also provided with a release mechanism having shear pins and an energy absorption mechanism.

Abstract: A brushless electric motor is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the motor includes a permanent magnet rotor having a plurality of magnetic poles thereupon and a stator. The stator further includes a plurality of stacked laminations defining a plurality of slots therein, and a plurality of fractional-pitch phase windings disposed within the plurality of slots. The motor has a non-integer slots-per-pole ratio, and a magnitude of 5th and 7th harmonic components of a fundamental frequency component of the motor are less than 0.3% and 0.1% of a magnitude of the fundamental frequency component, respectively.

Abstract: A brake apparatus and method utilize an electric power brake booster for operating a push rod actuated hydraulic master cylinder. The existing vehicle electrical system provides electric power for the power brake booster, thus eliminating the need for engine driven or auxiliary pressure/vacuum sources. The electric power brake booster includes an electrically powered actuator having an output shaft adapted for operative connection to the master cylinder, and an input for receipt of a signal indicative of force applied to the push rod. The electrically powered actuator augments the force applied to the push rod in response to the signal indicative of the force applied to the push rod. The booster may include a sensor for sensing force applied to the push rod and generating the signal indicative of the force applied to the push rod.

Abstract: A suspension damper system is provided. The damper system includes a damper with a damper rod, a portion of which extends from the proximal end of the damper. The damper rod includes a bore and an electrode disposed within the bore. A fastener for securing the damper rod to a vehicle is also provided. The fastener is disposed over the damper rod and includes a circumferential groove. An electrical connector which includes an electrically conducting terminal is connected to the electrode. The connector includes a lock which mates with the groove in the fastener and includes a ground terminal which is connected to the damper rod.

Abstract: A telescopic tripot universal joint comprises an outer drive member having three longitudinal drive channels which include two opposing concave side surfaces, an inner drive member having three radial trunnions having a radially outward facing semi-spherical surface for tiltably mounting a drive ball assembly which has a bearing train disposed radially between an inner ball tiltably engaged to the trunnion and an outer ball having a tread face which directly opposes the concave side surfaces of the drive channels. The ball assembly being free to wobble about a Z-axis wherein the assembly pivots about an X-axis disposed laterally to the outer drive member and pivots about a Y-axis disposed longitudinally to the outer drive member. The channel carries a guide rail which extends longitudinally lengthwise to the channel and projects radially inward in order to contact the outer ball when the ball assembly pivots about the X-axis, i.e., tilts relative to the axis of the outer drive member.

Abstract: A collapsible push rod for a brake booster in a vehicle is provided, having first and second telescoping members, and retractable locking means for selectively locking the first and second members together against telescoping. During a frontal impact collision, the members telescope into one another to shorten the length of the push rod and compensate for rearward movement of the brake booster and forward movement of the driver. The push rod is operable in the collapsed state. The push rod is also re-settable after the collision, and includes features for returning the push rod to its normal un-telescoped length following the collision, if the push rod is not damaged in the collision. The retractable locking means includes an electrically actuated solenoid for selectively locking and unlocking the first and second members against telescoping, in response to an electrical signal applied to the solenoid.