Abstract: An expansion valve for an air conditioning system circulates refrigerant through a fixed-displacement compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. An inlet is provided for receiving refrigerant liquefied in the condenser. An outlet of the expansion valve supplies refrigerant to the evaporator. A valve element controls flow of refrigerant between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the valve element is normally closed. A control assembly is coupled to the valve element and is responsive to at least one temperature or pressure in the air conditioning system to open the valve element to variably meter the refrigerant to the evaporator. A bleed passage bypasses the valve element to conduct refrigerant between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: An outer cover layer, for a panel that defines a rupturable deployment door of an air bag deployment system in an automotive vehicle, is formed with an invisible pre-weakened tear seam prior to being overlaid onto the panel. The outer cover layer material is pre-weakened along a defined door opening pattern by a single step impression of a variable depth scoring knife into the under surface of cover layer material. The scoring knife contains a series of cutting edges of varying depth and length along its length that coincides with the seam pattern. The scoring may be performed during the conveyance of the cover layer material by making a single impression of the scoring knife into the lower surface thereof so that the maximum cut depth does not penetrate the outer surface of the material.

Abstract: A cover panel for the air bag in an automotive vehicle with an invisible deployment door section defined by pre-weakened hinge and tear seam formed on the underside of the instrument panel base substrate during the base substrate molding process. The hinge and tear seams are formed into the underside of the base substrate by projections extending from a lower surface mold preform and are differently proportioned in size to provide sequentially operating functions during air bag deployment. Flowing the liquid substrate material into opposing sides of the mold allow for more even cooling and smooth upper surface over the reduced thicknesses of the invisible door hinge and seams.

Abstract: An angle-limiting ring coupled to an interconnecting shaft of a driving axle coupled to a fixed ball type outer constant velocity joint. The angle-limiting ring prevents the overarticulation of the joint at any time when the driving axle is not fully assembled into a rear wheel drive system. This prevents the loss of the ball bearings contained within the joint associated with this overarticulation. A snap ring may also be installed on the interconnecting shaft that allows the positive retention of the interconnecting shaft into the inner race.

Abstract: A mass damper for use with a drive shaft center support bearing is located on a non-rotating portion of the bearing and is suspended on a spring element for free vibration and has a resonance that is selected to be the same as that which would otherwise be communicated to the vehicle through the bearing by the drive shaft and drivetrain components. The two embodiments are each tunable so that the damper can be set to have different resonant vibration characteristics, as required for use with different drive shaft and drivetrain configurations.

Abstract: A thermal filter is provided within a vehicle lamp assembly for reducing thermal radiation from reaching selected portions of the lamp assembly from an illumination light source disposed within the vehicle lamp. The thermal filter includes an inner envelope and an outer envelope in spaced relation to the inner envelope. The inner envelope and the outer envelope define a closed chamber therebetween. The closed chamber being disposed between the illumination light source and the selected portions of the lamp assembly. The inner envelope includes an interior portion. A thermal radiation absorbing agent disposed within the closed chamber. The thermal radiation absorbing agent receives radiation emitted from the illumination source. The thermal radiation absorbing agent is transparent to short wave visible radiation and is substantially opaque to long wave infrared radiation. A substantial portion of the long wave infrared radiation absorbed by the absorbing agent is retained within the closed chamber.

Abstract: A hybrid yoke for a vehicle driveshaft assembly includes a cast iron portion having a pair of opposed yoke arms at a first end. The hybrid yoke also includes a steel portion having a yoke end and a shaft end, the shaft end for coupling to the driveshaft assembly and the yoke end for insertion into a second end of the cast iron portion.

Abstract: A tunable damper for a torque transferring assembly having a tubular shaft including an inner surface defining an elongated cavity includes an input channeling portion and an output channeling portion, wherein each channeling portion is formed from a first predetermined foam material having a first density and a diameter sufficient for providing a resilient bias force against the inner surface of the tubular shaft. The tunable damper further includes at least one absorber formed from a second predetermined foam material having a second density different from the first predetermined foam material and first density, respectively. The at least one absorber is positioned between the input and output channeling portions for attenuating a first predetermined range of frequencies of noise produced or transmitted by the torque transferring assembly.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a stabilizer bar, a bushing mounted to the stabilizer bar, and a support ring mounted onto the stabilizer bar adjacent the bushing to provide a stop to prevent the bushing from moving axially along the stabilizer bar. The support ring has a plurality of inwardly extending projections. Each of the inwardly extending projections has a distal end in contact with an outer surface of the stabilizer bar. The distal ends of the inwardly extending projections are welded to the outer surface of the stabilizer bar to secure the support ring onto the stabilizer bar.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power transfer unit for distributing torque from a transmission assembly between a front wheel drive line and a rear wheel drive line, the power transfer unit includes a housing, non-parallel gear set located in the housing and including a ring gear, and a parallel gear set including an idler, and an idler shaft secured to and supported on the housing. The idler shaft, which extends through the idler gear and supports the idler gear for rotation, includes an interior chamber, an outer surface, and a wall. A portion of the outer surface is formed with a clearance space, into which space a portion of the ring gear extends and rotates. The clearance space communicates through the wall to the chamber, the wall being formed with a hydraulic passage, which carries lubricant from the chamber to the outer surface.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for an internalized fuel system of a fuel tank. The apparatus comprises a support portion and a valve retainer arm attached about the support portion. The support portion has a body and first and second ends. The first end has a connecting flange configured to engage the fuel tank and the second end has a reduced cross-sectional portion attached thereto to provide flexibility to the fuel tank from pressure and vacuum forces. The valve retainer arm has an attachment end attached about the support portion. The attachment end extends to a valve retainer end for retaining the internalized fuel system within the fuel tank.

Abstract: An air induction system for carrying air to the intake of an internal combustion engine includes an air cleaner housing including a surface at least partially enclosing a first chamber or cover located in the air cleaner housing, an inlet through which air enters the air cleaner, and a MAFS bore through which air exits the air cleaner and passes to the engine intake, a second housing secured to the outer surface, the second housing and outer surface enclosing a second chamber, the second housing including a first port which comprise a sound attenuation device or devices.

Abstract: A starter motor is provided having a starter motor housing with an electric motor mounted therein. A stationary gear base mounted onto the starter motor housing and includes a plurality of pockets formed therein and spaced thereabout. A stationary gear is rotatably mounted within the stationary gear base for limited rotational movement and includes a plurality of legs that extend into the pockets. One or more variable rate dampening members are positioned within the pockets, circumferentially between the legs of the stationary gear and inner walls of the pockets. The variable rate dampening members provide variable rate dampening such that when the starter motor experiences high frequency, low amplitude oscillations the dampening members provide a first spring rate and when the starter motor experiences a high amplitude impact for a short duration of time, the dampening members provide a second spring rate that is stronger than the first spring rate.

Abstract: A power steering pump comprises a housing that includes a bore, a fluid discharge port that supplies pumped fluid into the bore, and a fluid bypass port for recycling excess fluid to the pumping elements. The pump outlet is at one end of the bore. A flow control valve is slideably received in the bore and regulate the size of the inlet to the fluid bypass port. The pump includes a solenoid assembly that has a plunger that is operatively connected to the flow control valve through the second end of the bore opposite the pump outlet. By adjusting the magnitude of the current to the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid assembly, the position of the flow control valve is varied to increase or decrease fluid flow to the fluid bypass port and thereby regulate the output from the pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to seals and, in particular, to a seal that retains lubrication between the interface of a spline shaft and a sleeve shaft, which move relative to each other. The seal body has a flexible body with an axis and alternating projections and recesses aligned with the axis. A wiper element on at least one of the rows of projections and alternating recesses includes a tapered surface extending away from the axis, and an engagement face substantially perpendicular to the axis and adjoining the tapered surface.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar for an automotive vehicle includes a stabilizer bar, and a generally ring shaped first mechanical stop mounted onto and extending about an outer diameter of the stabilizer bar. The first mechanical stop is crimped in place onto the stabilizer bar such that the first mechanical stop is positioned within a groove formed within the outer diameter of the stabilizer bar as the first mechanical stop is crimped onto the stabilizer bar, whereby the first mechanical stop is retained within the groove to prevent movement of the mechanical stop along the stabilizer bar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, including a housing, at least one gas treating body, a first support material, an internal shield, and a second support material. The housing includes an inlet, an outlet and an interior chamber between the inlet and the outlet. The gas treating body or bodies are located within the chamber, and the first support material is located between the outer surface of the gas treating body or bodies and the inner surface of the chamber. The internal shield is coupled with the inner surface of the housing via the second support material, which is located between the outer surface of the internal shield and the inner surface of the housing. The cross sectional area of the housing is generally constant in the region proximal to the internal shield.

Abstract: A fluid level sensor probe is provided. The fluid level sensor probe includes a housing, a first and second electrode, and an electric circuit. The first electrode is located on a first surface of the housing. A second surface of the housing is located adjacent the first surface and forms an angle with the second surface of about 90° or less. The first and second electrode are substantially flush with the housing. Further, the size of the first surface and angle between the first and second surface is configured to prevent a contiguous fluid droplet from forming across the first and second electrode.

Abstract: A catalytic converter and method for its assembly including an external shell formed in two halves containing a catalytic substrate, two internal shields and two-piece inlet and outlet cones. The inlet and outlet cones are attached as halves to each side of the external shell, and are assembled to each other as the external shells are assembled.

Abstract: A slider window assembly for an automotive vehicle comprises a fixed glass panel adapted to be installed in a window frame defined by a body panel. The fixed glass panel is bonded to the window frame by an adhesive bead and defines an opening. A sliding window opens and closes the opening and includes an edge that is received in a guide rail that is adhesively bonded to the fixed glass panel. The guide rail defines a channel for the edge of the sliding window and also includes an extension that is bonded to the window frame by the adhesive bead. In this manner, the guide rail continues to support the sliding window in the event that the fixed glass panel is unable to provide the primary support function.