Abstract: In a first controller that runs a first control algorithm and a first interrupt service, wherein the first control algorithm includes a first series of commands repeatedly executed in sequence, wherein the first interrupt service performs a second series of commands when the first interrupt service is triggered, wherein the first controller includes a first free running counter with a counter timer value that repeatedly increments and resets when the counter timer overflows, a data communication method comprising the steps of: in each sequential execution of the first series of commands: reading a data signal to be transmitted; responsive to the data signal, computing an on-time; setting a first edge of a serial transmission signal; and loading a register with a value equal to a sum of the first counter value and the on time; independent of the first series of commands: comparing the first counter value to the register value; when the first counter value equals the register value, triggering the first interru

Abstract: A crimping tool for a sealing washer includes a cylindrical outer housing having a bore, a cylindrical inner housing disposed within the bore and fixed relative to the outer housing and a crimping arm pivotally mounted to the inner housing. The crimping tool also includes a drive mechanism for moving the outer housing relative to the inner housing to urge the crimping arm towards the inner housing to deform an object to be crimped.

Abstract: In a duo-pumping hydraulic mount, two acting pistons are employed, one associated with each working chamber. The pistons are rigidly connected. During operation, internal pressures generated in each chamber are opposite in sign with one being negative and the other being positive. Therefore, to achieve a given pressure differential across the fluid track, the magnitude of the pressure in each working chamber is half what would be experienced in a conventional single pumping mount. Durability is improved by reducing internal pressures and by distributing kinetic loads to two rubber elements so that individual stresses are minimized. An individual load bearing element supports static loads on the mount.

Abstract: An improved commutation control method precisely controls commutation in a switched reluctance machine with a relatively low resolution position encoder and a low cost micro-processor based controller. The control method involves the formation of a motor position signal having logic level transitions, or edges, that define base commutation signals for commutating the motor phase windings in sequence with no phase advance. When no phase advance is desired, the controller turns the phase windings on and off in time with the respective base commutation signals. When phase advance is desired, the controller turns each of the windings on and off relative to the base commutation signal for the preceding phase winding. More specifically, the turn-on and turn-off points for phase advance control are timed to occur a delay time after the edges of the base commutation signal for the preceding phase.

Abstract: A wheel bearing includes a spindle having a center axis of rotation and an annular formed bead on an axial end of the spindle. The wheel bearing also includes a self-aligning sensor ring disposed concentric with the center axis of rotation of the spindle and positioned on the spindle and retained adjacent the bead on the spindle.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount is operable in soft and firm modes and includes a valve positioned at the partition between the working chamber and the reservoir. A normally open fluid path extends through the partition and opens between the working chamber and the reservoir for soft operational characteristics useful in attenuating low amplitude vibrations. The valve body and the partition together define a control chamber in the fluid path. The control chamber is open to the reservoir through lateral openings in the valve body so that fluid pressure in the control chamber is approximately at atmospheric pressure so that a small actuator can move the valve. When the valve is closed the fluid path is closed for firm operational characteristics in controlling large amplitude inputs such as those from torque transients.

Abstract: An electrically augmented brake control method in which vacuum booster run-out and pedal force are accurately predicted as a function of master cylinder pressure and engine vacuum, thereby eliminating the expense of dedicated sensors for measuring the same. A mathematical model of the vacuum booster is used to estimate the apply chamber pressure and the operator brake pedal force, based on measured values of engine vacuum (or manifold absolute pressure) and master cylinder pressure. The point of vacuum booster runout can be detected as the point at which the estimated apply chamber pressure reaches atmospheric pressure. In a preferred embodiment, a force-balance approach is used to carry out the estimation in an accurate but simple manner that is especially amenable to real-time control in an automotive on-board micro-controller.

Abstract: Vehicle telecommunication apparatus permits sharing of an embedded antenna between an embedded transceiver used for the provision of mobile application services to the vehicle and a portable transceiver used for personal communication by the vehicle operator. Closure of a mobile vehicle use switch, such as a vehicle ignition switch, with the portable transceiver connected to an embedded RF terminal, places an electrically controlled RF switch in an activated condition providing a through connection between the portable transceiver and embedded antenna for transmission and reception and a coupled connection from the embedded antenna for reception by the embedded transceiver. A generated RF signal from the embedded transceiver is coupled to a detector to switch the electrically controlled RF switch to its inactivated condition, in which the portable transceiver is disconnected from the embedded antenna and a through signal path is established between the embedded transceiver and embedded antenna.

Abstract: A broadband FM antenna is suitable for mounting on an inner surface of a rear window glass of a motor vehicle above an electric rear window defogger grid also mounted on the glass and made of the same frit material. The antenna has an extended range of reception across a commercial FM band without the need for an antenna boost amplifier and is capable of use in multiple countries having different commercial FM bands. The antenna comprises a plurality of horizontal frit lines extending outward from a series of points near the horizontal center of the rear window as described and claimed herein. Some of these horizontal elements are joined by outer connecting frit lines at their outer ends and all are connected at their inner ends by a plurality of inner connecting elements connecting all of the points together. The frit lines essentially form a pair of horizontal antenna elements, each tuned to one quarter of a different commercial FM band wavelength so that the antenna spans the desired band or bands.

Abstract: A variable pitch screw-driven system includes a rotatable drive screw powered by a motor actuator. A cam sleeve includes a nut section and is disposed about the drive screw and is linearly translatable in response to rotation of the drive screw. The cam sleeve includes a cam track with a fixed cam follower positioned to travel within a cam track. Linear translation of the cam sleeve is altered by tracking of the cam follower within the cam track such that rotation of the cam sleeve is effected simultaneously with rotation of the drive screw resulting in an effective variable pitch of the variable pitch screw-driven system wherein linear translation of the cam sleeve results from both rotation of the drive screw and rotation of the cam sleeve.

Abstract: A braking system includes a wheel brake, a master cylinder, and a modulator interposed in the braking system and interconnected with the wheel brake and the master cylinder so that fluid pressurization effected in the braking system by the master cylinder is communicated to the wheel brake through the modulator. An isolation valve is positioned in the modulator normally permitting an unrestricted fluid flow and pressure exchange between the master cylinder and the wheel brake through the modulator. The isolation valve is operable to isolate the wheel brake from the master cylinder by the repositioning of a moveable element in the isolation valve. A solenoid valve is associated with the modulator and is normally closed. The solenoid valve is openable so that fluid pressure is released from the wheel brake through the solenoid valve and substantially simultaneously, the moveable element of the isolation valve moves to close the isolation valve to isolate the wheel brake from the master cylinder.

Abstract: A dynamically variable roll stabilizer for a motor vehicle including a split U-shaped torsion bar on a body of the motor vehicle, a pair of rigid links between opposite ends the torsion bar and respective ones of a pair of suspension control arms of the motor vehicle, a mechanical coupling between the two separate elements of the torsion bar, and an electromagnetic actuator. The coupling includes a pair of oppositely acting roller clutches between the two separate elements of the split torsion bar. The electromagnetic actuator includes a pair of control rings which engage and disengage the roller clutches, a pair of control levers on the control rings, and an electric solenoid suspended between the control levers. When the solenoid is on, the control levers are thrust together and the control rings disengage the roller clutches. When the solenoid is off, the control levers are thrust apart by a spring and the control rings engage the roller clutches.

Abstract: The solenoid control valves of a solenoid-operated automotive antilock braking system are cyclically controlled to enable the valves to operate in a stable, partially open position that provides a desired fluid flow while minimizing noise associated with acceleration and deceleration of the controlled fluid. After an incipient lock-up condition is detected and the solenoid valve has been energized to hold and/or permit a partial release of the brake pressure, the solenoid is initially de-energized for a defined interval designed to reduce the current to a scheduled value. In this interval, the solenoid current is re-circulated through a free-wheeling diode for a smooth decay, allowing the valve to slowly open in a smooth and stable fashion. Then the solenoid is pulse-width modulated (PWM) at a frequency and duty cycle designed to maintain the solenoid current at the scheduled value. The interval of PWM is relatively brief to avoid any instability associated with the current pulsation.

Abstract: A vehicle window antenna is a transparent, electrically conducting film disposed between the inner and outer glass sheets of a composite window glass. The antenna has a principal element spaced from the upper edge portion of the window aperture and an impedance matching element extending downward from the principal element to essentially cover the visible area of the window and form a slot transmission line with the remaining edge portion of the window aperture parasitically coupled to the principal element. The large area of the antenna provides a large capacitance producing high gain in a commercial AM band. An essentially transparent planar capacitive coupling member made of an electrically conducting material is affixed on an outer surface of the inner window glass.

Abstract: A brake system includes a pedal feel emulator and a master cylinder with a damping mechanism having a damping piston. When the emulator piston is moved from the at-rest position, fluid is displaced from the emulator through a compensation port and through a flow restrictive orifice in the damping piston to the reservoir. Flow rate of the fluid is dependent on the apply rate of the brake pedal. When the brake pedal is applied relatively slowly, sufficient flow volume will occur through the flow restrictive orifice and the damping piston will remain unmoved. As apply rates increase, a sufficient pressure differential will eventually be established across the damping piston to cause it to move. Damping piston movement compensates for rapid fluid displacement out of the variable chamber and enables a desirable pedal feel characteristic where pedal force increases relatively slowly as pedal velocity increases relatively rapidly.

Abstract: A power booster is operable at relatively low apply rates and at relatively high apply rates and includes an input assembly that has a movable input rod and a primary reaction piston having a first reaction area. An output support body is responsive to movement of the input rod, with a resilient reaction disc engaging the output support body. A secondary reaction body has a second reaction area and is engageable with the reaction disc and transfers loads between the reaction disc and the input assembly at relatively low apply rates. The amount of the load transferred is a function of both the first reaction area and the second reaction area at the relatively low apply rates resulting in a first reaction ratio. The primary reaction piston is engageable with the reaction disc and transfers loads between the output support body and the input assembly during relatively high apply rates.

Abstract: A locomotive engine cooling system has a pair of radiator banks having substantially the same cooling capacity. The system has separate engine and aftercooler coolant loops and assigns one of the radiator banks exclusively to each of the loops, with the maximum cooling capacity being less than that required to absorb an engine heat load in a predetermined, warmed-up mode of operation but greater than that required to absorb an aftercooler heat load in the same predetermined, warmed-up mode of operation. To balance the system, a linking conduit directs a portion of the hot coolant exiting the engine to a conduit leading directly to the aftercooler radiator to supplement the maximum cooling capacity of the engine radiator with a predetermined portion of the maximum cooling capacity of the aftercooler radiator in absorbing the engine heat load. A return flow conduit from the aftercooler radiator to the engine may be a common coolant tank, a separate conduit or both.

Abstract: A brake apply system includes a power booster in which, when released and at-rest, a leg of a stop engages a clip and an extension of a valve body engages the clip so that an annular rib of the valve body is axially spaced away from the stop by a distance G. At the same time, a first valve seat is engaged with a first annular valve element closing a pressure supply conduit off from a variable pressure chamber and a second valve seat is spaced away from a second annular valve element by a distance T, opening the variable pressure chamber to an atmospheric pressure chamber. When the power booster is applied, the second valve seat moves the distance T and engages the second annular valve element closing the variable pressure chamber off from the atmospheric pressure chamber and the first valve seat separates from the first annular valve element opening the pressure supply conduit to the variable pressure chamber.

Abstract: A single-piece housing fixed brake caliper is provided with one relatively large piston bore on one side of the rotor and two relatively smaller piston bores on the opposing side of the rotor. The sum of the areas of the two relatively smaller pistons is equal to the area of the one relatively larger piston to provide balanced braking. The side of the caliper housing opposite the two relatively smaller bores contains two access cavities that provide clearance for the tooling that is necessarily positioned within the caliper to machine the bores. Similarly, the side of the caliper housing opposite the one relatively larger bore contains one access cavity that provides clearance for the tooling.

Abstract: A solenoid coil attachment mechanism includes a coil assembly with a wire end that projects from the coil assembly and an extending elongated leg that includes a latching mechanism. A carrier has a wall with an opening receiving the leg of the coil assembly and has a wire guide that is funnel shaped, has an open end and receives the end of the wire. A circuit board is attached to the carrier and the wire end is soldered directly to the circuit board.