Abstract: A linear actuator including a socket on a first element of a motor vehicle steering column, an expandable nut loosely disposed in the socket, and a screw shaft rotatably supported on a second element of the steering column. The expandable nut consists of a front segment facing a distal end of the screw shaft and a back segment behind the front segment. An inside screw thread in the back segment of the expandable nut is angularly phased relative to an inside screw thread in the front segment. The expandable nut self-aligns with the screw shaft when the latter is screwed into the inside screw thread in the front segment. An outboard end of the thread groove in the screw shaft defining the outside screw thread thereon spreads apart the front and back segments of the expandable nut to positions resiliently wedged between the screw shaft and the socket to eliminate lash between the screw shaft and the first element of the steering column.

Abstract: An energy absorber including a yoke on a vehicle body pivotable about a lateral centerline thereof, a linear bore in the yoke surrounding a steering column mast jacket, a ball sleeve between the mast jacket and the linear bore, a plurality of steel spheres interference fitted between the mast jacket and the linear bore and loosely received in apertures in the ball sleeve, and an annular lip on the yoke. The interference fit of the steel spheres yields a rigid, lash-free connection between the vehicle body and a lower end of the mast jacket. An impact on the steering column induces linear translation of the mast jacket through the linear bore. The ball sleeve is trapped in the linear bore by the annular lip on the yoke. The steel spheres are held stationary by the apertures in the ball sleeve and plastically deform the mast jacket by plowing tracks therein to convert into work a fraction of the kinetic energy of the impact on the steering column.

Abstract: A turbocharged engine cooling system has separate, complete engine and aftercooler coolant loops connected by a linking conduit with a link valve and a fan apparatus providing air flow through both engine and aftercooler radiators. The fan apparatus is controllable to vary the air flow in a series of discrete cooling levels. An engine cooling control is responsive to a coolant temperature in the engine coolant loop to control the fan apparatus and to derive and output a signal indicative of a desired level of cooling between the selected one and an adjacent one of the discrete cooling levels. An aftercooler cooling control is responsive to a coolant temperature in the aftercooler coolant loop and the signal output by the engine cooling control to control the link valve so as to vary the temperature of coolant in the engine cooling loop, by controlled mixing of coolant of lower temperature from the aftercooler cooling loop, so as to achieve the desired level of cooling indicated by the signal.

Abstract: A low cost switched reluctance motor drive circuit is achieved by establishing an alternate supply bus which effectively extends the voltage range of the DC supply for the drive. The alternate bus is maintained at a voltage which is either higher or lower than the supply voltage. A first capacitor is connected in parallel with the supply voltage and a second capacitor is connected between the alternate bus and one terminal of the supply voltage. At least one of the motor phase windings is connected in parallel with the first capacitor and at least one other of the phase windings is connected in parallel with the second capacitor. The phase winding(s) drawing energy from the first capacitor return inductive current to the second capacitor, and the phase winding(s) drawing energy from the second capacitor return inductive current to the first capacitor.

Abstract: A connection between a collapsible mast jacket of an energy-absorbing steering column and a body of a motor vehicle including an outboard mounting bracket on the mast jacket having a pair of lateral flanges, a pair of open slots in the lateral flanges each having a pair of side edges interrupted by a plurality of evenly-spaced notches, a pair of capsules in the open slots rigidly clamped to the vehicle body, and a plurality of equally-spaced plastic shear pins on the capsules seated in the notches to couple the capsules to the outboard mounting bracket. Each capsule includes a capsule base having the plastic pins thereon and a separate capsule cover. The linear pitch between the plastic shear pins is the same as the linear pitch between the notches.

Abstract: In a distributed management apparatus for a battery pack, a battery monitoring module for each individual battery comprises a microcomputer and apparatus for bi-directional communication with a central control. Each microcomputer is provided with memory and its own control program, which allow sophisticated data gathering, communication and bypass control functions to be performed by each battery monitoring module independently of the central control, although still at its command, for more efficient control design and more flexible and capable system operation. In a preferred embodiment, each battery monitoring module may further comprise voltage and temperature measuring circuits with inputs to the microcomputer and a bypass circuit incorporating the microcomputer itself. All the battery monitoring modules are linked with an interface module by a minimal element, common digital communication circuit for bi-directional communication between each of the battery monitoring modules and the central control.

Abstract: A speed sensorless hybrid vector control starts from zero speed by using indirect vector control with stator frequency equal to slip frequency. As soon as the rotor begins to rotate, the drive is converted to direct vector control for normal operation. The direct vector control uses several low pass filters. The first is a harmonic reducing filter for the sensed motor phase current and voltage signals. The others comprise integration apparatus used in the calculation of motor flux quantities from the motor phase current and voltage signals.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power steering gear has a proportional control valve with first and second valve members connected by a torsion spring and defining a center position with zero torque in the torsion spring. Electromagnetic apparatus for varying the magnitude of the effective restoring torque of the torsion spring comprises a stationary exciting coil, a circular permanent magnet member connected to one of the first and second valve members for rotation therewith and comprising a plurality (n) of permanent magnets of alternating radial polarity, and a pole piece connected to the other of the first and second valve members for rotation therewith, magnetically coupled to the exciting coil, and having a pair of magnetic flux conducting rings each defining a plurality (n/2) of pole teeth facing the permanent magnet member and opposing the pole teeth of the other to define pole tooth pairs each having a region of circumferential overlap.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a detector for detecting the presence of a valid radio frequency transmitter only within a seating space inside the vehicle. Start control circuitry is responsive to a RUN signal, provided that the detector has detected the presence of a valid radio frequency transmitter within the seating space, to unlock a steering column lock, activate an engine electric power circuit and a start motor, repeatedly receive an engine speed signal from the engine speed signal generator and compare the received engine speed signal to a predetermined speed reference indicating engine starting. The start motor is deactivated and a park lock solenoid is activated when the engine speed signal exceeds the speed reference. Alternatively, the engine electric power circuit and start motor are deactivated and the column lock is locked if the engine speed signal does not exceed the speed reference within a first predetermined time.

Abstract: A power latch circuit for a computer is improved by the expansion of an activate control circuit to include overvoltage protection circuitry. The activate control circuit is responsive to either an activate input circuit or a feedback latch circuit to activate an activating transistor which in turn activates a series transistor providing power from a DC electric power source through a voltage regulating circuit to the computer, which is programmed to turn itself off by activating a deactivate transistor to deactivate the activating and series transistors.

Abstract: A vehicle window antenna for receiving radio waves of a predetermined wavelength comprises an electrically conducting entity affixed to the window glass having a horizontally elongate principal element having an effective horizontal length of an odd multiple of one quarter of the predetermined wavelength and an impedance matching element having a length of a multiple of one half the predetermined wavelength, extending along but spaced from the edge of the window so as to form a slot transmission line therewith, and parasitically coupled to the principal element by a connecting element. The impedance matching element is an extended ribbon which may leave most of the viewing area of the window free. Therefore, it uses significantly less of the material from which the antenna itself is made; it may be made of non-transparent as well as transparent material; and it provides great flexibility of design, with a number of different embodiments and variations.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power steering gear has a proportional control valve with a cylindrical valve member riding rotatably on a spool shaft and connected thereto through a torsion rod. Electromagnetic apparatus for varying the magnitude of the effective restoring torque of the torsion rod comprises a stationary exciting coil, an extension of the cylindrical valve member having a plurality of outwardly facing teeth and an outer pole member fixed on the spool shaft for rotation therewith and having an equal plurality of opposing inwardly facing teeth, the teeth defining an air gap axially beside the coil. The cylindrical valve member is formed with a pair of sleeve surfaces for riding on the spool shaft surface with a small controlled clearance providing a hydraulic seal; and faces of the teeth of the cylindrical valve member and outer pole member are both machined after formation of the members for accurate control of the radial distance thereof from the spool shaft surface and thus of the air gap.

Abstract: A control for an AC motor has first and second sets of three-phase stator windings wound physically in parallel and a three-phase inverter for each set. A first current sensor is responsive to a first phase current of the first set of three-phase stator windings; and a second current sensor is responsive to a phase current of the second set of three-phase windings other than that corresponding to the first phase current of the first set of three-phase windings. The control is responsive to signals from the first and second current sensors to generate a set of motor phase voltage control signals, which are provided to first and second three-phase inverters connected across a source of DC electric power.

Abstract: Apparatus provides a signal to an operator of a following vehicle when it is necessary to take appropriate action to avoid coming within a predetermined distance of a lead vehicle proceeding in the same direction. From initial predicted forward velocities and distances of the lead and following vehicles, the signal apparatus (1) derives subsequent predicted velocities and positions of the lead and following vehicles and a subsequent predicted distance D(t) between the lead vehicle and the following vehicle after a projected short time interval while assuming a predetermined braking action of the following vehicle (2), derives and compares the subsequent predicted distance D(t) between the lead vehicle and the following vehicle with a least distance D.sub.LEAST, and (3) sets the least distance D.sub.LEAST equal to the subsequent predicted distance D(t) between the lead vehicle and the following vehicle if the latter is smaller.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system provides adaptive compensation for compliance in a linking mechanism between a throttle control member and a throttle which creates hysteresis in throttle movement. The system has a vehicle speed sensor, an actuator having an output linked to the throttle control member, an actuator position signal generator and a control responsive to the vehicle speed sensor and the actuator position signal generator for positioning the actuator in closed loop control with a major loop in response to vehicle speed and a minor loop in response to actuator position.

Abstract: The invention is a commutator for a high speed, high power DC traction motor having a rotor with a plurality of copper commutator bars having a V-shaped groove an axial end thereof, an electrically conductive retaining ring engaging the V-shaped grooves of the commutator bar, and means for exerting an axial force between the retaining ring and commutator bars to retain the latter against radial movement during high speed rotation of the rotor. Each of the commutator bars has an axial end face with a radially inwardly extending axial depression which joins an axially extending radial depression in a radially inner axial surface thereof adjacent the retaining ring. The retaining ring has an axial end face aligned with the axial end face of the commutator bars and an outwardly radially extending axial depression which joins an axially extending radial depression in a radially outer axial surface thereof adjacent the commutator bars.

Abstract: A vehicle has a window opening with a window comprising inner and outer glass layers and an interposed layer. The peripheral edge of the inner glass layer is indented in a notch which exposes an area of the outer glass layer, the space vacated by the notch being filled by an insulating member. A sealing strip, which may be electrically conducting, is disposed within the vehicle across the surface of the inner glass layer and the insulating member. An antenna is disposed between the inner and outer glass layers and has a connecting portion extending onto the exposed area of the outer glass layer. A connecting member has a connecting patch affixed to the connecting portion of the antenna within the exposed area and a feed portion extending therefrom between the insulating member and the notch of the peripheral edge of the inner glass layer to the interior of the vehicle without contacting the sealing strip.

Abstract: An annular, cast housing for a dynamoelectric machine defines a single internal, circumferential, liquid coolant circulation passage having a main portion of flat, rectangular cross-section having a width extending axially across the housing and a length extending circumferentially around a majority of the housing and, at opposite ends of the main portion, transitional portions narrowing in width from opposite axial sides so that the transitional portions pass each other on the narrowing sides and smoothly convert from the flat, rectangular cross-section to a circular cross-section. The transitional portions end in conduits substantially aligned with each other and oriented in substantially opposite directions.

Abstract: A vehicle has an electric propulsion motor, a regenerative brake control and an anti-lock friction brake system which responds to excess wheel slip of a front wheel during braking to modulate friction braking torque to reduce the excess wheel slip. It further has a control responsive to activation of the anti-lock brake system to prevent the application of regenerative braking during such activation. The regenerative braking may be blended with the friction braking when anti-lock braking is not activated so that battery charge is conserved. When the anti-lock braking is activated, however, the regenerative braking is ramped down to preserve smoothness in the braking. The regenerative braking may be applied to create drag during vehicle coastdown. When anti-lock braking is activated, if it is sensed that the wheel is on a low friction (.mu.) surface, the regenerative braking is removed immediately.

Abstract: An electronic vehicle door unlatch control reduces unwanted noise and actuator stress by varying unlatch actuator activation duration to provide the minimum duration required for door opening. A reversible actuator moves a detent between a fork bolt releasing position and a fork bolt retaining position; and an unlatch switch is activated by the fork bolt to signal whether the door is open or closed. A door opening signal activates the actuator to move the detent to the fork bolt releasing position and deactivate the actuator when the unlatch switch indicates the door is open or at the end of a first predetermined time period, whichever occurs first. The actuator is then activated in reverse to return the detent essentially to the fork bolt retaining position when the unlatch switch indicates the door is open, when the door opening signal is no longer received, or at the end of a second predetermined time period longer than the first predetermined time period, whichever occurs first.