Abstract: This invention details a lubrication system for an automatic transmission, specifically the bearings of the planetary pinion gears. The planetary carriers have grooves formed in spider and flange sections thereof to carry the lubricating material from the inner diameter of the planetary carrier to the inner diameter of each pinion gear bearing mounted in the planetary carrier. The invention further includes two thrust washers that are assembled on opposing sides of each pinion gear that have axially and radially extending slots that further carry the oil between the inner diameter of the planetary carrier and the outer diameter of the planetary carrier. Lastly, the invention discloses a method for lubricating the pinion gears of the planetary carrier.

Abstract: A dual temperature control system as part of an engine cooling system. In one aspect, a valve is regulated as a function of engine load and disposed in a by-pass line between the radiator and the coolant pump. The valve is designed to normally block the by-pass line, but permits coolant to by-pass the thermostat and be conveyed from the radiator to the engine when the load of the engine approaches a wide-open-throttle condition. In another aspect, both high-temperature and low-temperature thermostats are employed and a normally closed valve is actuated when the load of the engine approaches a wide-open-throttle condition to permit coolant to be conveyed through the low-temperature thermostat and on to the engine.

Abstract: A method for detecting a low-charge state in an air conditioning system. In one aspect, the temperature/pressure of the discharge of the condenser is measured to determine whether a low-charge state exists in the refrigeration system by calculating the degrees of subcooling of the refrigerant and comparing that to a predetermined minimum value. In another aspect, the temperature/pressure of the discharge of the compressor is measured to determine whether a low-charge state is indicated by calculating the degrees of superheat of the refrigerant and comparing that value with a predetermined maximum value. An air conditioning checker is also disclosed.

Abstract: An inflatable assembly for protecting occupants of a vehicle, comprising a multi-stage inflating device, and an inflatable device having a plurality of gas channels that are separately inflatable and operatively connected with the inflating device.

Abstract: A method is provided for updating an array of data point cells in a surface or table representation of memory. The three-dimensional surface array is modeled as a square bordered by four cells with one cell at each corner. Between each array corner cell, the array spacing is typically divided into three zones. As such, nine sub-regions of the array square are defined. Depending upon which of the nine sub-regions the calculated error point falls into when accessing the array, different cells are updated. In the case of a two-dimensional table array, typically three sub-regions are defined between adjacent cells. Depending upon which sub-region the calculated error point falls into, one or both of the table array cells is updated. As a further feature of the present invention, the amount of adaptive gain applied to each cell to be updated is adjusted depending upon which sub-region the calculated error point falls within.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission housing or four-wheel drive transfer case housing which is shorter than previous arrangements, with the output shaft extending beyond the end thereof. As such, the drive shaft slip yoke or the output fixed yoke is mounted on the extended end of the shaft exterior of the seal at the exit end of the housing or transfer case, rather than extending through the seal into the housing or transfer case. The advantages include generally weight, part and machining reduction; reduced seal wear and performance requirements and, hence, minimized oil leakage; elimination of the usual grinding/polishing operations on the yoke; and consequent cost reduction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating tool paths for cutting a physical part. The present invention includes storing geometric data indicative of the geometric configuration of the part. A plurality of planes are used to slice the geometric data. Micro features of the part are recognized based upon the sliced geometric data. Macro features of the part are determined based upon groupings of the recognized micro features. Tool path data is generated based upon the determined macro features of the part. Thereupon, the tool path data is used for cutting the physical part.

Abstract: A cupholder has a cup well to receive a container. The cup well includes a base and a wall. The wall is positioned to intersect the base. A biasing member is coupled with the wall. The biasing member is adapted to contact a container within the cup well. A positionable arm is adjustable to contact and retain different sized containers in the cup well.

Abstract: A control system is described for optimizing the reduction of nitrogen oxides in exhaust gas produced by an internal combustion engine, especially those internal combustion engines that employ a lean air-fuel ratio. The control system employs a temperature control assembly that is capable of selectively heating the exhaust gas prior to introduction into the NOx catalyst system, thus rapidly bringing the temperature of the NOx catalyst system up to operating temperature.

Abstract: An air bag module which includes a panel member having an integral reaction canister having a plurality of reaction walls and a manifold assembly having a manifold. The manifold includes at least one deployment door retaining channel and is operable for retaining an air bag cushion, an inflator, and a deployment door. The deployment door includes at least one retaining bead and a trim portion which are separated by a pliant spacing leg. As the reaction canister is incorporated into the panel member, the need for a separate reaction canister component is eliminated, thereby reducing cost, weight and overall size of the air bag module and allowing the manifold assembly to be used across a wider range of vehicles. The retaining bead and spacing leg flexibly couple the cover door to the manifold and allow the cover door to be repositioned during installation of the manifold assembly into the panel member so as to eliminate gaps, puckering and other defects in the appearance or the vehicle interior.

Abstract: A method of converting an existing vehicle powertrain including a manual transmission to a hybrid powertrain system with an automated powertrain transmission. The first step in the method of attaching a gear train housing to a housing of said manual transmission, said gear train housing receiving as end of drive shaft of said transmission and rotatably supporting a gear train assembly. Secondly, mounting an electric motor/generator to said gear train housing and attaching a motor/generator drive shaft of said electric motor/generator to said gear train assembly. Lastly, connecting an electro-mechanical clutch actuator to a friction clutch mechanism of said manual transmission.

Abstract: An in-line combination steering pump with a shaft and water pump having a housing defining a pumping chamber into which the outer end of the shaft extends. The water pump housing supports an annular adapter member for supporting a seal which encompasses the shaft and is press mounted in the adapter. An impeller is removably secured to the outer end of the shaft adjacent the seal. A bushing encompasses the shaft between the seal and the impeller and is compressed by attachment of the impeller to the shaft so as press the seal firmly into the adapter. For replacement, the seal and bushing are removable over the outer end of the shaft after the impeller is removed.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is disclosed, the assembly comprising: A first connector member having a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion, the second terminal portion movable relative to the first terminal portion; and a second connector member having first and second terminal portions adapted for mating engagement with the first and second terminal portions, respectively, of the first connector member. A lever, preferably an assist lever for drawing the first and second connector members into a fully mated condition, is provided on the first connector member, the lever defining a first position wherein the lever blocks the second terminal portion of the first connector member from movement into mating engagement with the second terminal portion of the second connector member, and a second position, wherein the second terminal portion of the first connector member is movable into mating engagement with the second terminal portion of the second connector member.

Abstract: A gauge assembly is provided including a terminal carrier including a base portion, a head portion extending from a first side of the base portion, and a plurality of legs extending from a second side of the base portion. The head portion includes a twist lock locking element disposed on a side thereof. A bobbin and coil assembly is supported by the terminal carrier. The bobbin and coil assembly rotatably supports a spindle and magnet. A plurality of electrical terminals extend through the base portion of the terminal carrier and terminate at one end into a bent contact portion adjacent to the head portion which engage electrical contact pads disposed on the printed circuit board. The electrical terminals have a second end electrically connected to a coil of the bobbin and coil assembly.

Abstract: A method is provided for accessing files on a client node which is connected to a server node across a network channel. A first file is displayed on the client node, and context information indicative of this first document is stored. Rather than using a “hard” link which specifies a specific path/filename, a dynamic softlinking process is used to access a second file. A link, similar to a hyperlink, can be selected on the first displayed file to access a second file, where the link includes information indicative of the second file. To determine a file identifier for the second document, a data structure, having a plurality of file identifiers, is accessed using the context information and link information. The second file can then be retrieved from the server node via the network channel using the file identifer and displayed on the client node.

Abstract: An apparatus for servicing an engine cylinder head of an internal combustion engine includes a mounting portion adapted to be removably attached to the engine cylinder head. The apparatus additionally includes a support portion for radially supporting the cam sprocket. The support portion is generally cylindrical in shape and adapted to align with the cam shaft. The apparatus is intended to maintain the radial position of a cam sprocket during removal of the cam shaft. The mounting portion preferably includes a pair of apertures adapted to align with a pair of apertures in the cylinder head. Further, the mounting portion is generally planar and the support portion extends substantially parallel to a plane defined by the mounting portion.

Abstract: A method for attaching a soft top to a motor vehicle body tensions the soft top without a separate tensioning device. The method includes the general steps of attaching a support member to the motor vehicle for pivotal movement about a transverse pivot axis, supporting an upper rear corner of the top with the support member, and tensioning the top by upwardly and rearwardly biasing the upper rear corner of the top with the support member. The support member functions to provide a spring load for tensioning the top. In the preferred method, the support member is elastically deformed for tensioning the top.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integral passenger restraint system which has the passenger airbag system and knee bolster system integrated into one unit. The passenger airbag system of the present invention has an outer surface which is capped at opposite ends by a pair of end plates. Each end plate has a support zone and at least one crush zone. The support zone serves to cover the outer surface and encapsulate the air bag. The crush zone acts as the impact absorbing medium to absorb the impact from a vehicle passenger's knees during a vehicle crash.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-situ induction tempering is provided in which an induction coil is used to temper a part in-situ at the location. The use of an induction coil in-situ at the heat treating location eliminates the need (and time and expense) of a multi-step process wherein in part to be tempered would otherwise have to be moved from the quenching location to the tempering location, such as at a tempering furnace. It also eliminates the need for the tempering furnace, which is a great space savings. In one form of the invention, the power supplied to the induction coil is controlled by a closed-loop temperature controller that is controlled by the temperature in the vicinity of the tempered part, as opposed to simply be controlling on time at temperature.