Abstract: A watercraft steer-by-wireless control system including: a directional control system responsive to a directional command signal for steering a watercraft, the directional control system including a rudder position sensor to measure and transmit a rudder position signal, and a helm control system responsive to a helm command signal for receiving a directional input to a helm control unit from an operator, the helm control system including a helm position sensor to produce and transmit a helm position signal to a master control unit in operable communication with the helm control system and the directional control system; the master control unit includes a position control process for generating the directional command signal in response to the helm position signal; and wherein the helm control unit wirelessly communicates with the helm control system.

Abstract: In a vane-type camshaft phaser, one vane extends over a much larger internal angle than the other two vanes. Because of its size and strength, the large vane is the vane designated for contact with the stator. The other vanes and lobes have extra clearance to prevent contact regardless of rotor position. In one embodiment, a first surface of the large vane engages a surface of a first adjacent lobe at one extreme rotor rotation, and a second surface of the large vane engages a surface of a second adjacent lobe at the opposite extreme of rotation. The contact surfaces of the lobes and the vane may be equipped with hardened wear pads. One or more wear pads may be machined to provide a desired rotor displacement angle.

Abstract: A deactivation valve lifter includes a lifter body. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine and at least one annular pin chamber. A pin housing includes a pin housing bottom. The pin housing bottom defines at least one pin stop aperture and a radially directed pin bore. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes pin members. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the lifter body. A portion of each pin member may be disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby selectively couple and decouple the lifter body to the pin housing. A drain aperture defined by the pin housing bottom extends from the pin bore to an outside surface of the pin housing. A stop pin is disposed in the at least one pin stop aperture for limiting the inward motion of the pin members.

Abstract: A ball assembly (118) for a tripot-style joint includes an annular outer ball (124) having a central axis (L) extending therethrough and a depression (182) formed therein. A plurality of needle rollers (122) is positioned along an interior of the outer ball (124). A needle roller retainer (140) is provided for retaining the needle rollers (122) within the outer ball (124) during operation of the ball assembly (118). The retainer (140) has a base portion (142) axially opposed to an end portion (121) of the needle roller (122), and a flange portion (144) extending from the base portion (142) into the depression (182), the flange portion (144) of the retainer (140) being resiliently pivotable within the depression (182) in response to application of an axial load to the retainer (140). In a particular embodiment, an inner ball (120) is positioned in the interior of the outer ball (124f), and a series of resilient tabs (148f) extends from the base portion (142f) of the retainer (140f).

Abstract: A first steering column member and a second steering column member are engaged for pivoting movement, and include confronting surfaces that limit the relative movement of the members. A bumper is disposed between the confronting surfaces to absorb impact during the adjusting movement. The bumper is fixedly connected to one of the first and second steering column members in a snap-fit connection.

Abstract: A gear arrangement includes a first section having a first plurality of teeth and at least a portion of the first section is made of a compliant material. There is also a second section having a second plurality of teeth. The second section is made of a stiff material. The first section is arranged axially adjacent to the second section and each of the first plurality of teeth has a tooth flank that changes axially across the tooth flank. A method for manufacturing a gear arrangement includes fabricating a first gear, which includes a first plurality of teeth, and a bearing from a compliant material. The method also includes mounting a second gear, which includes a second plurality of teeth, to the bearing, aligning the first plurality of teeth with the second plurality of teeth, and coupling the first gear with the second gear.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly for a vehicle and a method for manufacturing the steering column assembly. The steering column assembly includes a steering column member having an aperture extending along an axis. The steering column assembly also includes a steering shaft rotatably disposed at least partially in the aperture. The steering shaft includes a steering wheel engaging end axially spaced from the aperture. The steering column assembly also includes a supporting member for supporting a vehicle accessory. The supporting member is cantilevered from the steering column member and cooperates with the steering column member to define a groove substantially surrounding the steering wheel engaging end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that can be applied, for example, to seal a constant velocity joint. In a first aspect, a primary boot having a body defining a substantially smooth interior surface and a secondary boot associated with the primary boot and spaced from the interior surface. In a second aspect, a constant velocity joint having an outer joint member, an inner joint member positioned in the outer joint member, a plurality of ball members positioned between said outer and inner joint members, and a shaft engaged with and extending from the inner joint member. The primary boot is fixedly associated with respect to the outer joint member and slidably associated with said shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides a double pivot tilt joint for connecting two shafts for synchronous rotation and for tilting movement relative to one another. The double pivot tilt joint includes a first shaft member and a first pivot pin extending at least partially through the first shaft member. The double pivot tilt joint also includes a pivot block receiving the first pivot pin such that the first shaft member and the pivot block are pivotally coupled to one another about the first pivot pin. The double pivot tilt joint also includes a second pivot pin extending at least partially through the pivot block transverse to the first pivot pin. The double pivot tilt joint also includes a second shaft member receiving the second pivot pin such that the pivot block and the second shaft member are pivotally coupled to one another about the second pivot pin. The double pivot tilt joint also includes a groove defined by the first pivot pin and receiving the second pivot pin.

Abstract: A power assist steering system including a valve housing and a proportional control valve supported within the valve housing, further includes a pressure transducer arranged with respect to the proportional control valve for determining an amount of actuation of the proportional control valve. A pressure signal is sent from the pressure transducer to a control for determining an amount of current to be sent to an electromagnetic apparatus within the power assist steering system for overcoming a pull force.

Abstract: A sensors casing supports torque sensors and the position sensors and segment magneto-sensitive elements to detect the relative rotation between an input shaft and an output shaft and the angular position of the shaftsin a steering column housing. The sensor casing is removeably attached to the support housing by a mounting flange for detaching the electrical components from the steering column housing assembly.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser for varying the timing of combustion valves in an internal combustion engine. The phaser includes a seat formed in the sprocket at the appropriate position of intermediate rotor rotation and a locking pin slidably disposed in a vane of the rotor for engaging the seat to lock the rotor to the stator at the intermediate position. A bias spring system disposed on a cover plate urges the rotor toward the intermediate locking position from any position retarded of the locking position but does not engage the rotor during valve timing-advance motion thereof from the intermediate locking position.

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 or valve pair is pivotably disposed on a control shaft between the camshaft and the roller finger follower. The control shaft may be displaced about a pivot axis outside the control shaft to change the angular relationship of the rocker subassembly to the camshaft, thus changing the valve opening, closing, and lift. A plurality of control shafts for controlling all valvetrains in an engine bank defines a control shaft assembly. The angular positions of the individual control shafts may be tuned to optimize the valve timing of each cylinder. The system is applicable to the intake and exhaust camshafts of diesel and gasoline engines.

Abstract: A steerable element angular sensor system may include a sensor having a sensing axis positioned along an axis of rotation of a knuckle, a connector connecting a yoke and a knuckle of a steering system. The sensor may detect rotation of at least one of the knuckle and the connector. Also, the sensor system may include protection from rotation detection interference from linear and angular movements of at least one of the connector and the knuckle. The sensor system may be included within a steerable element assembly and provided within a vehicle.

Abstract: A steering column assembly (10) for a vehicle includes first and second members (12, 14) engaged for movement relative to one another along one of a tilting path (16) and a telescoping path. The steering column assembly (10) also includes an electric lock (18) operable to lock the first and second members (12, 14) into a locked configuration that restricts movement and an unlocked configuration that permits movement between the members. The steering column assembly (10) also includes a sensor (20) operable to sense a vehicle crash condition and then emit a crash signal to a controller (22) that controls the electric lock (18) to change from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration in response to the signal.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting an electrical terminal to a terminal receiver includes a body portion having a first surface including a biasable lock member extending therefrom and a second surface defining a plurality of recesses. The connector assembly also includes a securing member having a plurality of finger portions with one of the finger portions disposed in each of the recesses so as to prevent or lessen any movement of the electrical terminal relative to the terminal receiver within the recess. The securing member has a locking tab member that can engage and pivot the lock member for locking the securing member to the body portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stroking ball-type constant velocity joint including a plurality of straight grooves and a plurality of cross grooves. The straight and cross grooves can be disposed along the interior of the joint in alternating fashion. For example, a cross groove passageway can be positioned between two straight groove passageways. The inner joint member can include helical grooves extending in a right-hand direction and in a left-hand direction. The helical grooves can be disposed in alternating fashion such that a left-handed groove is disposed between two right-handed grooves.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that improves the adjustment of energy absorbing properties of the steering column of a vehicle. The method includes the step of disposing a first steering column member for axial movement along an extension path between an extended position and a retracted position relative to a second steering column member. The first steering column member is also disposed for pivoting movement along a pivot path between a tilt-up position and a tilt-down position relative to the second steering column member. The method includes the step of absorbing energy associated with relative movement between first and second steering column members along the extension path at a first rate with a first device. The first device can be any type of energy absorbing arrangement known in the art, such as an arrangement including a strap and an anvil. The method includes the step of adjusting the first rate of energy absorbed during said absorbing step with a second device.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a steering wheel of a vehicle in a desired position. The invention includes a steering column having a steering wheel supporting portion for supporting the steering wheel. The steering column also includes first and second members movable relative to one another. The first and second members are moved relative to one another to move the steering wheel supporting portion, and the steering wheel, along either tilting path of movement, or a telescoping path of movement, or both. The invention also includes a locking device that selectively engages the first and second members to lock the first and second members with respect to one another. The locking device substantially prevents movement of the steering wheel supporting portion, and the steering wheel, along the path of movement. The locking device includes an electric motor. The first and second members are locked and unlocked with respect to one another in response to activation of the electric motor.