Abstract: There is disclosed a method for forming a gasket or seal between mating faces of two components. The method includes the steps of forming an initial seal and forming a primary seal by injecting a liquid material into a groove formed between the mated components. The method further includes the steps of monitoring sealant volume and injection pressure to determine whether a viable seal has been formed.

Abstract: A method for configuring features of an electric powered vehicle to a profile of a random user includes storing a profile of a user on a device possessed by the user. The profile is indicative of how the features of the electric powered vehicle are to be configured. The profile of the user is then transmitted to the vehicle using a radio frequency (RF) transmission link. The features of the vehicle are then configured in accordance with the profile of the user upon receiving the profile of the user. An alternative method for communicating data between a user and the vehicle includes connecting the vehicle to an electric power supply using a hard wired connection. Electrical power from the power supply is then supplied to the vehicle using a power signal through the connection. A carrier signal is then multiplexed on the power signal as the electrical power is being supplied from the electric power supply to the vehicle.

Abstract: An anti-lock brake control system 12 for a vehicle 10 that enhances vehicle braking when the vehicle is commanded to travel in a substantially straight trajectory. The brake control system 12 has an operator input 18 for commanding vehicle braking, and brake actuators 20A-20C for applying braking force to wheels 14A-14D in response to the operator input. In addition, the brake control system includes a steering angle sensor 34 for sensing a steering angle of the vehicle, and a wheel speed sensors 36 for sensing rotational speed of the wheels. Further, the brake control system 12 includes a controller 22 for controlling the amount of braking by the brake actuators 20A-20C in accordance with a tire slip as determined by the wheel speed. The controller 22 determines the amount of tire slip during braking and increases the amount of tire slip to increase vehicle braking when the vehicle 10 is commanded to travel in a substantially straightline trajectory.

Abstract: A traction assist device (16) adapted for girdling a motor vehicle tire (10) is fabricated as a nominally flat polymeric part that can assume a circular shape for fitting onto the tire. The part has a pair of side bars (18, 20) that are nominally straight, but assume circular shapes for fitting against opposite side walls (14) of the tire. A number of transverse bars (22) integrally joining with the side bars extend between the side bars at intervals along the length of the side bars. Each transverse bar is nominally straight, but wraps over the tire tread (12) when the device is installed. Respective ends (32, 34) of the side bars cooperatively form a respective connector (36) for connecting the respective ends together using interlocking serrated zones (40, 54). One zone (54) is on a pawl (54) that can be released to allow the ends to be separated.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a circuit and method for detecting a fault current in a circuit containing a power transistor. A comparator in communication with a parasitic inductance is utilized to sense the excessive change in current through the power transistor. When the voltage magnitude through the parasitic inductor exceeds a predefined limit, the comparator triggers a gate drive circuit. The gate drive circuit is in communication with the power transistor. The gate drive circuit shuts off the power transistor when the predefined limit is reached. Thus, the present invention is capable of reacting quickly to fault currents through the power transistor thereby protecting the transistor and other circuit components from damage.

Abstract: An electric powered brake system (10) for braking road-engaging wheels of a motor vehicle. An ignition switch for turning a motor of the vehicle on and off also controls the application of electric power to the electric powered brake system. A control and method (FIGS. 2 and 3) for maintaining application of full electric power to the electric powered brake system when the ignition switch is operated from ON to OFF so long as at least one parameter (60, 62, 64, 66) related to a respective component of the vehicle and indicative of a need to maintain full electric power application to the brake system continues to exist and for discontinuing application of full electric power to the brake system when all of selected ones of several such parameters are indicative of lack of need to maintain full electric power application to the brake system.

Abstract: A damper (40) for damping tactile vibration (FIG. 4) caused by pressure changes induced in hydraulic fluid by an operational characteristic of a hydraulic-operated brake (22; 24) when the brake is braking a rotating object (14; 16). A piston (54) is displaceable within a housing bore (52) and divides the bore into a first chamber (56) confronting one axial face of the piston and a second chamber (58) confronting an opposite axial face of the piston. A port (59) communicates hydraulic fluid to the first chamber such that increasing hydraulic fluid pressure is effective to displace the piston toward the second chamber. A spring (60) that is operated by displacement of the piston within the bore resists piston displacement toward the second chamber as hydraulic fluid pressure increases and aids piston displacement toward the first chamber as hydraulic fluid pressure decreases. The invention is useful in hydraulic-operated motor vehicle brakes.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a storage compartment for the rear end of a speciality vehicle is provided. The storage compartment has a primary compartment that is slidably mounted to the vehicle body. Sub-compartments are pivotally connected to the side walls of the primary compartment. The sub-compartments are pivoted from a closed position wherein the sub-compartments overlie a base portion of the primary compartment to a open position wherein the sub-compartments are pivoted on a pivot connection to a position wherein they are outboard of the base. A deck lid is provided to enclose the storage compartment.

Abstract: Requested brake torque and requested throttle torque are assigned opposite algebraic signs in both rollback and non-rollback states. In the non-rollback state, requested motor torque development includes a process step (206) in which requested brake torque and requested throttle torque are algebraically summed. In the rollback state, requested motor torque development includes a process step (218) in which requested throttle torque is substituted for the regeneration torque limit. In the rollback state, the difference between the requested throttle torque and the requested brake torque is compared with a zero vehicle speed regeneration torque limit (228) when the result of comparing the difference between requested throttle torque and the requested brake torque with the regeneration torque limit (222) discloses that the latter difference does not exceed the regeneration torque limit. The result is used to determine respective amounts of motor torque and friction brake torque (230, 232, 234, 236).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thin foil alloys through a series of steps. A carrier having a polished carrier surface is placed within a deposition chamber. The carrier surface is generally polished to a mirrored surface finish. A sacrificial layer is applied atop the carrier surface. The sacrificial layer is made of a material that may be easily dissolved or separated from the carrier surface to remove the metal foil. The carrier surface and sacrificial layer are placed within the deposition chamber. The sacrificial layer is exposed to an evaporated first metal which becomes deposited upon the sacrificial layer. An evaporated second metal is then applied concurrently or sequentially with the first metal. The first and second evaporated metals solidify on the sacrificial layer to form a multilayer foil. At this point, the multilayer foil includes discrete layers or areas of the evaporated metals.

Abstract: A motor vehicle structural energy absorbing member (12) is light weight and is made in a manner to produce random or directionally oriented, elongated pores or voids (16) in a structural matrix (14) in a manner that permits tailoring of impact energy absorption in one or more direction(s) to provide an integral energy absorbing region.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system 10 has a brake pedal assembly 14, a sensor 18 or 22 for sensing effort applied to the brake pedal assembly and a brake actuator 26 for generating braking force to be applied to one or more brakes 12A-12D on the vehicle. The brake system further includes a position sensor for sensing a position signal, such as an adjustable brake pedal position sensor 40, a seat position sensor 42, a steering wheel position sensor 44, or a driver position sensor 46, which is generally indicative of the stature and/or comfort of the driver. The brake system further includes a controller 24 for automatically controlling the amount of braking force applied to the one or more brakes in the vehicle as a function of the sensed position. Accordingly, the brake system automatically adjusts the braking effort based on a sensed position signal.

Abstract: Method of making valve seats by thermally spraying bulk material. The method includes the steps of: (i) preparing a cylindrical polymeric mandrel having an outside dimension not greater than the desired inside dimension of the desired insert, the mandrel having no means to provide for separation of the sprayed material from the mandrel, (ii) thermal spraying separate particles of one or more types of steel or nickel alloys in the presence of a controlled oxidizing medium under conditions that allow firstly, melting of the mandrel and its infiltration into the sprayed material and secondly to form a subsequent polymer free dense metallic bulk composite material (iii) after cooling, machining and cutting into discrete seat shapes for implanting into the final product.

Abstract: A machine tool or die that is fabricated from thermally spray-formed steel is repaired on the factory floor by first cleaning the area to be repaired to removed all dirt and impurities. Next the surface is prepared by means of preheating the surface with propane torches at a rate not exceeding 50° Centigrade per hour to boil off the moisture in the tool. The weldment is formed by the TIG welding process and then finished by conventional machining, grinding and polishing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a NOx absorbent useful to purge exhaust gases during lean-burn internal combustion engine operation. The material is resistant to sulfur poisoning hence improving the long term NOx absorption efficiency. The method comprises providing an alumina/ceria support with barium and precious metal of at least platinum and then overcoating with a layer of lithium. The absorbent can be used in the exhaust gas system and subjected to lean operation when the nitrogen oxides are absorbed and then to stoichiometric or rich A/F operation which causes the nitrogen oxide to desorb and then they are reduced over the precious metal.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting various fault conditions in semiconductor devices. A variable voltage reference is compared to the voltage output of the device during device turn-on to detect circuit fault conditions. The fault condition is then communicated to a controller.

Abstract: An electric park brake control (32) for a parking brake actuator (28, 30) selectively operates a brake mechanism (24, 26) at at least one wheel to selectively perform a parking brake function. Inputs to the electric park brake control include an input from a shifter (18) for distinguishing PARK position from other positions. The electric park brake control causes the brake mechanism to perform the parking brake function when the input from the shifter to the electric park brake control discloses that the shifter is in PARK position. The electric parking brakes are integrated with the shifter, eliminating a parking pawl from a motor (12) that propels the vehicle. Neither is an operating cable from the shifter to the motor for operating the parking pawl required. The shifter is coupled in exclusively electrical relationship to a traction inverter module (16) for causing the motor to operate in correspondence with the particular position selected by the shifter.

Abstract: An adjustable seat back and supporting rear rail for a specialty vehicle is disclosed. The rear rail is secured by a latches to a pair of pillars of the vehicle within a range of vertical locations. The seat back is selectively lockable within a range of angular orientations from horizontal to vertical. The seat back includes pivot pins that are held by locking fasteners in the desired angular orientation on the rear rail.

Abstract: A control system 10 and a method 30 for controlling a linearly actuated valve closure member 20 in accordance with the present invention is provided. The method 30 includes a step 32 of determining a control value associated with a control signal indicative of an uncompensated target position of the closure member 20. The method 30 further includes a step 52 of calculating a friction compensation value associated with the closure member 20. The friction compensation value may comprise a static friction compensation value or a coulombic friction compensation value. The method 30 further includes a step 104 of calculating a compensating control value responsive to the control value and the friction compensation value. The method 30 further includes a step 108 of actuating the closure member 20 responsive to the compensating control value.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system having a brake rotor (10) and brake pedal-actuated hydraulic piston (24) that actuates a brake caliper (22) to engage a friction brake (25a, 25b) with the rotor (10) and further having a brake caliper retractor mechanism (40) including an actuator (46) for actively controlling retraction of the caliper (22) relative to the rotor (10) to provide either a friction brake force versus pedal brake force curve where the friction brake initially contacts the rotor (10) such that braking force from the brake pedal P begins at zero pedal force or a friction brake force versus pedal brake force curve that is displaced relative thereto where the friction brake initially is positioned out of contact with the rotor (10) such that braking force from the brake pedal begins at a finite preselected pedal force greater than zero.