Abstract: The joint between a molded plastic fuel rail and a metal fuel tube uses a metal tube retainer clip to keep the fuel tube inserted within the end of the main fuel rail hole in the molded plastic fuel rail. The molded plastic fuel rail has a slot in its sidewall, and the clip has a forked blade that is inserted through this slot so as to be disposed in interference relationship with an upset bead in the tube to thereby prevent the tube from being withdrawn from the plastic fuel rail. The clip is secured to the fuel rail assembly, either by a resilient clasp portion of the clip snapping onto the metal fuel tube exterior of the plastic fuel rail or by an apertured tab portion of the clip being fastened to the fuel rail by a screw. Where the end of the main fuel rail hole is considerably larger than the diameter of the fuel tube, a tubular plug is used between them.

Abstract: A valve damping piston and a cam follower piston have telescopic sliding fits in opposite ends of a through-bore in the lifter housing. A pressure chamber is cooperatively defined within the housing between the two pistons, and is communicated to the engine oil supply. A lash adjusting piston has a telescopical sliding fit with the exterior axial end of the damping piston, and the two cooperatively define between themselves a lash adjusting chamber. The lash adjusting chamber is communicated to the pressure chamber by an axial segment of the telescopic sliding fit of the damping piston to the housing. The clearance provided by this axial segment creates a flow restriction that results in the pressure in the lash adjusting chamber being appreciably lower, 50% for example, than the pressure in the pressure chamber. The damping piston contains a circumferential groove that is directly communicated to the termination of the axial segment.

Abstract: A cruise control sub-system is incorporated into an electronic throttle control system. The sub-system comprises a cruise control module that provides respective charge and discharge signals to a circuit for charging and discharging a capacitor. The voltage across the capacitor represents a cruise control signal and is supplied to a port of the electronic throttle control microprocessor. In the cruise control mode of operation, the microprocessor causes the throttle to be positioned by the cruise control signal. If the driver depresses the accelerator pedal to an extent that would command a throttle opening larger than that commanded by the cruise control signal, the microprocessor causes to throttle to be operated to the larger opening. When the cruise control mode of operation ceases, the throttle is controlled by the accelerator pedal alone. The microprocessor also performs testing of the cruise control sub-system and gives a fault indication if a fault is detected.

Abstract: The armature has a circular cylindrical main body that is surrounded at one axial end by a circular flange. The flange can conduct what would otherwise be stray magnetic flux and because the flange is on a substantial radius, it can provide a significant area for the magnetic flux even though the flange's radial dimension is small. A number of channels are formed in the armature to provide for passage of fluid past the armature.

Abstract: The throttle blade is made to have a resilient outer margin whose outside diameter is circular and essentially equal to the diameter of the throttle bore within which the blade is disposed. The blade can maintain control even at engine idle. Several embodiments of throttle blade are disclosed. In one, an elastomeric seal is insert-molded onto the main blade body; in another, the seal is a multitude of short bristles; in still another, it is a stamped polytetrafluoroethylene part. There is also a special construction for assembling the shaft.

Abstract: A method of making an electrically-operated fluid valve for improving the metal-to-metal sealing of the valve needle to the valve seat, particularly of the rounded tip end of the needle to a frusto-conical depression in the seat. The method comprises applying a controlled axial compressive load to the seated needle to cause the annular zone of sealing contact between the needle and the seat to be coined.

Abstract: The sphere is a separate part that is assembled into the valve during the assembly process. A resilient spring disc acts on the sphere to hold the sphere in abutment with the tip end of the armature as the armature reciprocates to open and close the valve. The disc is also a separate part that is assembled into the valve during the assembly process. The outer margin of the disc rests on a raised ledge without attachment to the valve body while the sphere occupies a central circular void in the disc whose diameter is less than that of the sphere. The valve seat is frustoconical, and the disc maintains the sphere at least approximately concentric with the seat so that when the valve is operated closed any misalignment of the sphere to the seat is taken out by the camming action of the seat on the sphere as the valve closes.

Abstract: A fuel pressure regulator valve comprises a housing constructed from plural metal stampings and containing a diaphragm assembly which divides the housing into a control chamber and a fuel chamber. The housing is shaped to contain integral grooves for O-ring seals so that the O-rings stay on the valve when it is removed from its mounting socket in a fuel rail. Two of the stampings partially define the fuel chamber and are joined by means of a crimp formed in one. The other of the two has a hardness greater than that of the one to facilitate its press-fit engagement with the valve seat tube. The crimp is below the upper O-ring seal so that the crimp provides an entirely satisfactory joint. Each O-ring is located within its groove with the aid of a spacer also disposed in the groove.

Abstract: The injector is mechanically retained in the molded composite socket member by an annular cap that is threaded onto the end of the socket member containing the end of the through-bore into which the injector was inserted. The sidewall of the cap contains an internal helical thread that threads to an external helical thread on the exterior of the socket member. The cap stiffens the socket wall at the thread to strengthen the socket wall against circumferential expansion caused by the pressure of fuel in an annular space that surrounds the injector interior of the socket through-bore. A method for making the cap and joining it to the socket member is also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved idle purging is obtained in a regulated canister purge solenoid valve by communicating the atmospheric chamber space of the regulator mechanism to atmosphere through the canister and providing in the movable wall of the regulator mechanism an orifice which is closed by abutment of a surrounding portion of the movable wall with an internal surface of the atmospheric chamber space when the engine is off, but is opened when that surrounding portion of the movable wall leaves that internal surface of the atmospheric chamber space upon engine running.

Abstract: A magnetically biased velocity change sensor that is designed for mass-production fabrication and ensuing usage in supplemental inflatable restraint systems of automotive vehicles. The sensor is of the type having a metal sphere that is magnetically biased to one axial end of a tube. When the sensor is subjected to a velocity change of suitable magnitude and duration, the sphere travels to the opposite end of the tube to actuate a switch. Damping of the sphere travel is accomplished by sizing the tube to be of just slightly larger inside diameter than the diameter of the sphere. The invention enhances the manufacturability of the sensor by making dimensioning requirements for the tube and sphere less strict and by enabling different models of sensors to be fabricated from commonly dimensioned tubes and spheres. The invention involves manufacturing the sphere as a sintered iron mass and using a mixture of gases within the tube.

Abstract: Rather than having the two throttle position sensors connected directly to a common D.C. power supply, isoation circuits are connected between each sensor and the power supply so that a short in one sensor will be indicated to the ECU without adversely affecting the signal from the other sensor. The isolation circuits are simple RC circuits.

Abstract: An air flow/check valve for an exhaust emission system combines flow and check functions into a single valve which is especially well-suited for use with an electric motor driven air pump. The valving mechanism is operated by a fluid actuator, and pressure conditions in the actuator are controlled by sensing the pressure differential across the valving mechanism to close the valving mechanism when exhaust back pressure is indicative of causing potentially damaging backflow to the air pump. Several embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: A multiple-runner intake manifold is constructed of upper and lower parts that fit together at a joint. The upper manifold is molded thermoplastic, and the lower part is molded phenolic. The lower part contains an integral fuel rail. The lower part contains a portion of each runner. Those portions are formed as separate through-passages during molding of the lower part in the cavity of a multi-part mold. The fuel passages are molded as through-holes some ends of which are subsequently plugged by closures and other ends of which receive fittings.

Abstract: A relatively resilient hose end telescoped over a relatively rigid tube end wherein a first axial zone of the tube end has an exterior rib with a circumferentially continuous radially outermost edge and a second axial zone of the tube end proximal to the first axial zone has circumferentially extending beveled exterior retention ribs, the hose end has a third axial zone which contains circumferentially extending beveled interior retention ribs complementary to those of the second axial zone, the exterior retention ribs and the interior retention ribs coact to resist axial separation of the hose end from the tube end with greater resistance than that encountered during telescoping of the hose end over the tube end, the hose end has a fourth axial zone proximal to the third axial zone and a fifth axial zone proximal to the fourth axial zone, the fourth axial zone has a nominal wall thickness less than those of the immediately contiguous portions of the third and fifth axial zones, and the fourth axial zone is s

Abstract: A filter assembly comprising: first and second compartments, the first compartment comprising an exit tube, the second compartment comprising an air inlet the exit tube comprises a plurality of radial inwardly extending stand-offs; an air flow sensor for sensing the mass of air exiting the exit tube, including an exit conduit adapted to be received upon and supported by the stand-offs; the exit conduit and exit tube cooperating to form a tuner inlet passage, the air flow sensor further including an entrance conduit, positioned upstream of the exit conduit; an insert comprising tapered walls including first and second ends, the first end defining an opening conformal to a first open end of the first housing member and adapted to be joined therewith, the second end defining a hollow sleeve of substantially the same size as the entrance conduit and adapted to sealingly mate therewith; thereby enclosing, in cooperation with the first compartment a tuner volume communicated with the tuner inlet passage; an air fil

Abstract: The switch assembly comprises a single inertial sensing mass which is magnetically biased to an initial position along a path of travel within an enclosure. In this position, the mass holds a normally closed arming switch open. A normally open discriminating switch is disposed in the path of travel of the mass to be closed by the mass upon the occurrence of a velocity change indicating that a passive occupant restraint device such as an air bag should be deployed. Travel of the mass from the initial position releases the arming switch before the discriminating switch closes.

Abstract: A matrix consisting of glass microspheres and cured epoxy is disposed in a cavity at the backside of the silicon diaphragm to strengthen the diaphragm without any significant adverse influence on the ability of the sensor to quickly and accurately respond to changes in mass air flow. The strenthening which is imparted to the device enables it to comply with certain specifications defining the extent to which the device must be capable of withstanding damage from air-entrained dust particles acting on the frontside of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A fuel rail for an engine fuel injection system comprises a pair of main tubes on opposite sides of the engine. A baffle is disposed within each main tube, dividing the tube into first and second flow channels. Injectors are fed from the first flow channels. A pair of closely adjacent transverse tubes intercept the main tubes at one end of the main tubes. One transverse tube introduces fuel into the first flow channel of each main tube. The fuel flows through these channels and returns via the second flow channels. The other transverse tube carries return fuel from one main tube to the other main tube where it joins the return flow from the other main tube and the flows enter a pressure regulator. The one main tube contains a twist in its baffle so that its injectors are properly communicated to the inlet fuel entering via the one transverse tube.

Abstract: The evaporative emission control system for an internal combustion engine purges the vapor collection canister to the throttle body through both a purge regulator controlled by the engine ECU and a variable orifice valve that is mechanically operated by the throttle mechanism. A throttle position sensor that supplies a throttle position signal to the ECU can be read by the ECU as also representing the degree of restriction being imposed by the variable orifice on the flow of vapor from the canister to the throttle body and the ECU can take this into account when setting the purge regulator. A novel construction for the purge regulator, particularly the connection between the actuator and the valve, precludes the transmission of any significant bending moment from the movable wall of the actuator to the valve. The head of the valve is designed to also contribute to improved operation.