Abstract: A fixture is provided for testing the shear strength of a longitudinal weld which interconnects a plurality of planar blanks forming a tailor welded blank. The fixture includes a first pair of triangular shaped face plates connected to one side of the tailor welded blank and a second pair of triangular shaped face plates connected to the other side of the tailor welded blank. Each of the face plates includes a transverse edge which extends across the longitudinal weld connecting the planar blanks. The fixture further includes each of the transverse edges having a first portion and a second portion spaced from and parallel to the first portion. The fixture also includes an isolation portion interconnecting the first and second portions of the transverse edges adjacent the longitudinal weld for isolating a portion of the weld whereby the isolated portion of the weld is tested for shear resistance by applying a tensile load to the first and second pair of face plates.

Abstract: A multi-zone climate control system and method for a vehicle. The system comprises a passenger seat occupancy detector at each of a plurality of passenger seats for generating a respective seat occupancy signal indicative of an occupancy condition of a respective seat. The system also includes a plurality of control units, wherein each of the control units is associated with a respective passenger seat location. The control units are used for selecting desired climate settings for each passenger location. A controller is in operative communication with each control unit and each passenger seat occupancy detector. The controller is operative to control the climate at each occupied passenger location according to the desired climate settings for the respective passenger location and modify the climate at each unoccupied passenger location to optimize the comfort at each occupied passenger location.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and method of assembly for an automotive vehicle includes at least one tube having an internal surface and an external surface, and a composition cladding having at least magnesium applied to the internal surface and external surface of the tube.

Abstract: A lamp can and radiator support assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. The lamp can and radiator support assembly includes a radiator support for operative attachment to forward end of the motor vehicle. The lamp can and radiator support assembly also includes a pair of lamp cans attached to the radiator support. The lamp can and radiator support assembly further includes at least one crossbar interconnecting the lamp cans and attached to the radiator support for adjusting the lamp cans relative to a body of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle veiling glare reduction system includes a windshield having an inner and outer surface, a first polarization layer disposed on at least one windshield surface adapted to polarize light in a first predetermined direction, a dashboard having an upper surface, and a second polarization layer disposed on the dashboard upper surface adapted to polarize light in a second predetermined direction other than the windshield inner surface.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling the temperature of a vehicle seat (14) based on a variety of factors, including vehicle interior temperature, outside temperature, sunload, and user set point. Each of these readings is sent to a controller (30) where they are weighted by a formula to arrive at a target temperature. Based on that target temperature, a seat level is calculated and then transmitted to a heated seat controller (48) to apply the appropriate temperature to the vehicle seats (14).

Abstract: A centrifugal blower assembly for a heat exchanger system of an automotive vehicle is described. The centrifugal blower assembly includes a diffuser section interposed between the centrifugal blower housing and a heat exchanger housing in the heat exchanger system. The diffuser section has a pair of non-linear, curved side walls which allow for expansion of the air flowing therethrough to minimize air flow separation against the side walls of the diffuser.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises a bearing race received in a bore of a housing comprising a deformable housing material. The bearing race includes one or more recesses formed on a surface thereof disposed proximate the housing. Each recess receives housing material that has been deformed locally therein after the bearing race is received in the bore to prevent both rotational and axial motion of the bearing race relative to the housing.

Abstract: A heat exchanging device is disclosed. The device includes a fluid flow tube having a turbulator which includes a plurality of coil sections. Each of the coil sections includes a number of coil members of uniform diameter. The coil sections are spaced apart by a predetermined number of other coil members having smaller diameters and different heights than the coil members in the coil sections. These coil configurations force fluid flowing around them into heat exchanging contact with the tube walls.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for preventing fogging of the windows of an automotive vehicle. The system and method operate the air conditioning system of the vehicle at temperatures where a high degree of probability of fogging exists. The method includes the steps of measuring the ambient temperature, the evaporator core temperature and operating the air conditioning compressor at specific duty cycles depending upon these temperatures. The duty cycle will be determined based upon these temperature variables as well as the relative humidity within the passenger cabin of the vehicle.

Abstract: A scroll compressor having a compressor housing and an orbiting scroll member is provided with an annular plate between the housing and orbiting scroll member. The plate having an axial aperture provided therethrough, the plate abutting one of said housing and said orbiting scroll member. A pin projects through the aperture of the plate and is engaged with the member abutting the plate. A projection is provided on the pin for preventing axial displacement of said pin relative to said plate axially away from the abutting member.

Abstract: A tubular coupling assembly is disclosed which includes a pair of identical coupling members secured together by a splined stud. A sleeve member is inserted between the identical members to provide a leak free fluid pathway between the coupling members.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a compressor housing and an orbiting scroll member, and includes an annular plate between the housing and orbiting scroll member. The plate has an axial aperture provided therethrough, the plate abuts one of the housing and orbiting scroll member. A pin projects through the aperture of the plate and is engaged with the member abutting the plate. A projection is provided on the ring, housing or orbiting scroll member for preventing axial displacement of the pin relative to the plate axially away from the abutting member.

Abstract: A combination thrust bearing/coupling apparatus is provided to simultaneously couple an orbiting scroll member with a stationary scroll member. Axial load carrying rolling spheres are provided between the locating indentations of the scroll members. The relative diameters of the spheres and width of the locating indentations permit the spheres to travel a distance equal to one-half of the orbit radius of the orbiting scroll member in all directions from a central position in the respective pair of locating indentations to maintain the predetermined angular relationship between said scroll members. A pair of facing clearance indentations are provided in the orbiting and fixed members. A sphere is provided between the clearance indentations. The relative diameters of the spheres and width of said clearance indentations permit the spheres to travel a distance greater than one-half of said orbit radius of said orbiting scroll member in all directions from a central position in the pair of clearance indentations.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for detecting when one or more temperature sensors as found in motor vehicle climate control systems are invalid. The system works at extreme temperature conditions and functions to distinguish between sensor faults such as open or short circuits and true sensor temperature readings, which could be, misinterpreted as faulty readings. In particular, combinations of ambient temperature sensors, in-car-temperature sensors and evaporator air temperature sensors are tested by the diagnostic algorithm to make such determinations.

Abstract: A fluid coupling is disclosed having a first pipe member and a second pipe member. The first pipe member has an externally threaded end with synchronized thread portions. The second pipe member is configured to be received within the first pipe member. The coupling further includes a nut slidably and rotatably fitted around the circumference of the second pipe. The nut is internally threaded with a pair of synchronized threaded portions for mating engagement with the threaded portions of the first pipe member.

Abstract: A solar sensor for a vehicle that is incorporated as part of the vehicle climate control system is disclosed. The solar sensor include a photo diode assembly including a sensing surface. The photo diode assembly is mounted on a horizontally extending portion of a dashboard of a vehicle with the sensing surface oriented substantially parallel to the plane that an occupant's body lies within when seated in the vehicle. The sensing surface is preferably oriented within a range of between about 16.degree. and 40.degree. above horizontal toward the front of a vehicle. Optimally, the sensing surface is oriented at an angle of 28.degree. above horizontal relative to the front of the vehicle. The photo diode assembly includes a housing having a base surface mounted to the dashboard that is configured to hold the sensing surface of the photo diode in the desired angular orientation.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes at least one tube having an internal surface and an external surface, a composition cladding having at least lithium and magnesium applied to either one of the internal surface and external surface of the tube, and at least one component disposed adjacent the composition cladding, whereby the tube and component are joined together during a controlled atmosphere brazing process.

Abstract: An air handling system for use in an air conditioning system of an automotive vehicle includes a housing which defines an air passage. The air handling system includes a blower disposed in the housing, an evaporator disposed in the housing for cooling air which passes through it. A heater core is also disposed in the housing downstream from the evaporator for heating the air as it is passed through it. The air handling system also includes a temperature blend door system having a first temperature blend door disposed in a bypass passage defined between the evaporator and the air outlets of the housing. The first temperature blend door is pivotable about a central axis from a closed position to an open position. A shoulder is formed in the housing for sealingly engaging a first end of the first blend door when the blend door is in a fully closed position and for controlling the amount of air flowing passed the first end as the first temperature blend door is pivoted toward a fully opened position.