Abstract: A method and system are provided to control a heated area for a glass surface on a motor vehicle. The method and system sense the ambient temperature, determine whether the vehicle charging system is operating within a first predetermined voltage level, and disable the heated area if the charging system voltage is outside the first predetermined level.

Abstract: An apparatus for expanding a tube 1 from a first diameter d.sub.1 to a second diameter d.sub.2 by passing a mandrel through a tube 1 includes a bullet assembly 3 comprising at least two co-operating bullet segments 5, 7, 9, Each of the bullet segments 5, 7, 9 has an outer surface 11 for contacting the inner surface of the tube and an inner surface 13 for contacting the inner surface of an adjacent bullet segment. The outer surface 11 of each segment is generally arcuate in radial cross-section and each segment has a body region 15 between a head 17 and tail region 19. The inner surfaces 13 of adjacent bullet segments 5, 7, 9 have co-operating tapered surfaces 21 shaped such that the bullet segments are movable axially with respect to one another such that the bullet assembly 3 may be in an expanded state or a collapsed state.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming heat exchanger core assemblies having a plurality of generally elongate tubes seated in uniformly spaced openings in a pair of spaced parallel header members is disclosed. The apparatus includes a generally flat, horizontal support table and a pair of header carriers mounted for horizontal reciprocatory movement respectively toward and away from two opposed sides of the table. The apparatus further includes a pair of elongate, horizontally disposed guide members for locating and aligning a plurality of tubes with the respective openings in header members. Each of the guide members includes a base portion and a plurality of finger members, each finger member projecting in a first position vertically upwardly from the base portion. The guide member further includes a plurality of upwardly opening elongate, tube receiving slots between the finger members, the slots extending parallel to the adjacent side of the table.

Abstract: A refrigerant access manifold for a refrigerant system includes a manifold block for coupling a plurality of refrigerant system components together to allow refrigerant to flow therethrough and at least one access port in the manifold block to provide access to the refrigerant.

Abstract: There is disclosed a housing for a centrifugal fan or blower or the like. The housing includes a wedge member for reducing the tonal noise generated during operation of the fan or blower. The wedge member is disposed on an interior surface of the housing chamber.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system has a continuously running compressor that is cycled between a high capacity mode and a low capacity mode, to achieve a desired cooling of the vehicle passenger compartment without undesired compressor stumble or compressor overheating.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system 1 includes a condenser 3 which includes one end cap 5 which has an integral charge port 7. The end cap 5 seals the manifold 9 of the condenser. The condenser 3 is a brazed aluminium construction and the end cap 5 and integral charge port 7 are brazed as one unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle door structure for an automotive vehicle comprising a door including an outer panel and an inner panel attached together to define a door cavity therebetween. An armrest secured to the door inner panel includes an inner cavity and is collapsible against the door inner panel upon the imposition of a predetermined level of force against the armrest. The armrest also includes an inflatable airpad in the inner cavity for receiving and venting a volume of air therein. The airpad includes an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the door cavity and an inlet aperture in fluid communication with a source of compressed air disposed remotely from the door. The armrest is collapsibly and retractably secured to the door such that the armrest projects into the vehicle when the door is closed and is retracted against the door when the door is open.

Abstract: A conduit for providing air flow from an air conditioning housing to a motor for driving a climate control system air blower is disclosed. The blower is located in the air conditioning housing. The air conditioning motor includes a motor housing inlet port for admitting the air flow to the interior of the motor. The conduit comprises a generally cylindrical hose member having a motor housing end and a blower housing end. The blower housing end of the conduit extends through the blower housing wall and into the blower housing and defines a generally cylindrical wall. The generally cylindrical wall includes an angled portion and a stop wall portion opposite the angled portion which cooperate to guide air through the conduit to the motor.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a side support which has a thermal stress relieving zone in the form of a gap which completely separates one end of the support from the other. The gap is generally symmetrical about a central axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the side supports of the heat exchanger and is shaped such that a straight line cannot be drawn through the gap from one side of the side support to the other side.

Abstract: In a quick-fitting pipe union for sealingly connecting two pipes (1 and 4) comprising an annular cage (8) fitted on the outer side of the one pipe (4) and fitted inside with an annular helical spring (9). When the pipes (1 and 4) are slid axially into one another, the spring latches over a flange (2) of the receiving pipe (1). The annular cage (8) with the sealing means (6/7) is fitted after the enlargement (5) is loosely slidable relative to the receiving pipe.

Abstract: A centrifugal blower assembly is disclosed. The blower assembly includes a centrifugal fan driven by an electric motor and a stationary device which imparts a predetermined amount of spin to a volume of air as the air enters the centrifugal blower assembly. The device is disposed axially with respect to the axis of rotation of the fan and is secured thereto so as not to include any moving parts.

Abstract: A method for controlling the idle speed of an internal combustion engine includes an adjustment responsive to a steering wheel angle sensor or a steering wheel torque sensor. The steering wheel angle sensor and the steering wheel torque sensor predict a power steering pump torque requirement which is used to minimize engine speed fluctuations.

Abstract: A solenoid valve for use in heating systems in motor vehicles is disclosed. The solenoid valve includes a housing having a core which is axially movable in the housing and is connected by a shaft to a valve member. The valve member includes two valve heads, spaced apart from one another, one of which contacts an abutment region formed in a base plate of the solenoid housing. The abutment region provides damping to reduce solenoid noise.

Abstract: A method for forming a heat exchanger is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a plurality of generally planar plate members from a sheet of material, each of the plate members being connected to an adjacent plate member by a deformable link. The method further includes forming a plurality of tube members by folding the plurality of plate members at the deformable links, inserting a fin member between adjacent tube members, and compressing the plurality of tube members and fin members under a predetermined load to form a heat exchanger core. The method also includes the steps of bending the folded deformable links against the core and brazing the core at a predetermined temperature. A heat exchanger manufactured according to this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light guide apparatus for use on a motor vehicle instrument panel is disclosed. In order to bring as much light as possible into a dial pointer 20, the panel has a translucent plate 22, the front face of which forms the dial face. Light is introduced into the translucent plate through a plurality of light pipes 44, and is then directed into a catchment area 30 for pointer illumination by converging facets 35,38 formed in the plate. The facets are arranged with a wide opening which receives light traveling in the plate and with a tapering or converging area in which the light incident in the wide opening is continuously reflected into the pointer illumination catchment area.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a plurality of elongated, generally flat tubes is disclosed, each tube including a planar base, a top, and pair of arcuate opposed side portions interposed between the base and the top is disclosed. A partition extends from the top to the base to define a pair of fluid passageways, the partition including a pair of opposing, contacting shoulder portions and a leg portion depending from each of the shoulder portions which contact the base. A first braze receiving of predetermined size is defined between the shoulder portions and the manifold of the heat exchanger. The size of the braze receiving area is controlled by minimizing the curvature of the shoulder portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and delivering fins manufactured in a fin mill for use in manufacture and assembly of heat exchangers used for controlling temperature conditions. The apparatus includes first and second conveyors, the first conveyor receiving and transporting fins emanating from a fin mill, and the second conveyer delivering the fins to an apparatus for manufacturing and assembling a heat exchanger. A tier of chutes reorient the direction of the fins with respect to the direction of the conveyor travel.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for an automotive vehicle is disclosed including a frame having a pair of headers and a pair of side supports disposed between the headers at opposite ends thereof. Each of the side supports includes a generally planar base and a pair of flanges extending from the based portion. The side supports including a stress relieving-zone defined by a Z-shaped aperture disposed in the base portion.

Abstract: A method for dynamically balancing a centrifugal blower fan wheel is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining an amount and location of change in the fan inlet ring of the blower wheel which is required to balance the blower wheel. Once this determination is made, the radial thickness of the inlet ring is increased at a predetermined location to provide the proper amount of balance to the blower wheel. A mold is described for accomplishing this method.