Abstract: An intake manifold for an internal combustion engine having a selectively controlled variable length flow path whereby the manifold may be resonantly tuned for optimum performance over a wide engine speed range.

Abstract: Development of worst case operating environment, interfering parameters of a test item, is effected by a decoupling device. The device includes a series of resonators configured and interconnected in a particular manner along with a shunt capacitance group. When connected between the test item and its support system, the device provides such an impedance to signals other than those need for normal operation, that the highest noise voltage levels emit from the test item. These levels permit developing repeatable worse cases inteference parameters which provide a guide for modifying the test item circuit components and connectors so as to minimize the affects of generating EMI sources or to immunize susceptible receptors within the test item.

Abstract: A steering knuckle assembly is provided. The assembly includes a steering knuckle fabricated of unitary sheet metal. The knuckle has three channels. Two of the channels are used for mounting upper and lower control arms by ball joints. The third channel is used for mounting the steering tie rod by a ball joint. The channels for securing the control arms in place are symmetrical about the horizontal axis of the knuckle and the channel for mounting the steering tie rod extends from the mid-point of the steering knuckle so that the steering knuckle is usable as a left hand or right hand steering knuckle by orienting the steering arm channel to point in one direction or the other.

Abstract: A digital pulse width modulator for generating output frequencies with adjustable pulse widths that can be controlled by a microcomputer interface. A method to perform a DPWM chip select and to control the latching, shifting and counting of DPWM counters and registers is also presented. This allows the traditional uses of PWMs to enter the realm of microcomputer systems.

Abstract: A movable molding is provided for a vehicle on the vehicle body adjacent to a wrap-around end portion of the bumper. The molding and end portion of the bumper have mating abutment walls through which these elements are fastened together. When the bumper moves towards the vehicle upon impact, the molding is thereby caused to move therewith. Slide elements are provided between the molding and vehicle body for sliding of the molding along the body. A fastening element attaches the molding to the bumper end portion. The fastening element comprises a tensioned flexible cable which permits vertical movement of the bumper end portion with respect to the molding.

Abstract: A movable vehicle grille is provided. The grille is attached to the vehicle by means of a crank structure which causes the grille to pivot and to also move inwardly and upwardly when impacted by the vehicle bumper. The vehicle bumper is of the type mounted on an energy absorbing means to facilitate rearward and upward movement thereof upon impact with another vehicle or a fixed object. Spring means are provided to urge the grille back to its normal position after the bumper retracts.

Abstract: A molded one-piece elastomeric anchor member for securing and apertured workpiece to a mating edge of a normally extending panel by means of a fastener. The anchor member has an elongated body comprising a pair of opposed arcuate wall portions defining a central bore for receiving a threaded shank of the fastener. The arcuate wall portions are interrupted by a pair of diametrically opposed living hinge gaps bridged by an arcuate web portion and a wedge-shaped portion, respectively. A cut-out, formed in the panel mating edge, is adapted to receive the anchor member therein. A flange section extends from each juncture of the web portion with the body so as to contact one side of the panel. The wedge-shaped portion defines a pair of cam shoulders adapted to snap outwardly and lock the anchor member in the cut-out after being manually compressed about its living hinges during insertion in the cut-out.

Abstract: A fuel delivery apparatus including an elongated liquid fuel collector or reservoir with generally flexible walls and with a stiffening member extending adjacent a side wall and attached to the collector for longitudinal strengthening of the collector without interfering with the collector's desirable capacity to flexibly conform to the associated fuel tank bottom wall.

Abstract: A damper member is disclosed for retaining a torsion rod within cross-beam inverted channel-shaped rear axle. The damper member is normally U-shaped in cross-section having an upwardly opening central bore defined by vertically extending leg portions and a base portion. Upon the damper member being compressed into a D-shaped clearance between the channel and the rod its section is transformed for a U-shape to a C-shape. The unique design of the damper member enables it to be lockingly retained under pressure in the D-shaped clearance.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel handling apparatus in a fuel tank including a fuel pump supported by a fuel delivery conduit, a fuel return conduit and an elongated fuel collector. The collector is pivotally supported by the pump and the fuel return conduit for movement from an installation position in which the collector is closely spaced with respect to the conduits for the purpose of easy insertion through a small opening in the fuel tank to an installed position in which the collector is moved away from the conduits and into overlying contact with respect to the bottom of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A quick ranging technique controlled by a microcomputer, makes predetermined stepped adjustments to the charge times in a ranging circuit to bring the charge time into a required range, thusly minimizing calibration time for an electronic compass; a digital filter also controlled by the microcomputer smooths out the magnetic field component signals.

Abstract: In a vehicle fuel tank, a fuel handling apparatus including a fuel pump supported by a fuel delivery conduit, a fuel return conduit and an elongated fuel collector. The collector is pivoted with respect to the pump and the fuel return conduit between a compact installation position to an expanded installed position. In addition to the return flow of fuel into the collector, additional fuel is drawn into the collector by an aspirating action produced by a rapidly flowing stream of return fuel from the end of the fuel return conduit which has a hood thereabout configured to produce the aspirator effect.

Abstract: The fastening of a circuit board in a housing that has a front faceplate panel with actuating means thereon for activating switches that are mounted on the circuit board is effected by a self-compensating latch apparatus. The apparatus employs a plurality of mounting ledges molded to the side walls of the housing and spaced a chosen distance from the font panel upon which the circuit board rests. A plurality of resilient fingers with locking devices attached to each finger are integrally molded within the walls of the housing near the mounting ledges. The fingers flex away from the edges of the circuit board as the board is introduced into the housing via a rear opening. Then the fingers flex inwardly causing arch-shaped members of the locking devices to move over the rear edge of the circuit board to a location whereat the front of the circuit board is locked against the ledges. By use of this invention, circuit boards of varying thicknesses can be locked into such a housing.

Abstract: An engine storage and transportation rack is provided for shipping and storage of internal combustion engines. The rack includes a frame upon which is transversely mounted a plurality of pairs of engine support pods. Each pair of pods is designed to accept one engine. The pods include downwardly angled guide surfaces to direct engines being loaded thereon into contact with horizontal support surfaces which accept discrete structure on the underside of the engine for support of the engine on the pod. The remaining portions of the engine are spaced slightly from the pods so as not to be in contact with the pods. However, the pods do restrain longitudinal and transverse movement of the engines.

Abstract: An improved automotive suspension strut isolator and jounce bumper upper mount providing a compact resilient assembly adaptable for a vehicle having a reduced hood line. The assembly comprises a collar member formed with an upstanding collar portion having a radially outwardly extending contact flange. An inverted cylindrical cup member is positioned in spaced relation with the collar separated by an elastomeric isolator. The cup member includes a return bend flange underlying the contact flange in an axially spaced manner. The cup member is sized to telescopically accommodate the upper end of the strut outer support casing at full jounce travel thereby lowering the overall strut height for a given vehicle attachment span. In one form of the invention the strut utilizes a convoluted dust shield as a jounce bumper.

Abstract: An improved control for a liquid coolant type cooling system of an automotive internal combustion engine including a coolant pressure powered servo valve which is responsive to a control pressure generated in accord with an electrical control signal. The electrical signal is generated in accord with several engine operative and cooling related inputs.

Abstract: In a cooling system for an internal combustion engine utilizing liquid coolant, an improved coolant powered flow control valve assembly is disclosed which includes a hollow enclosure within another hollow enclosure with a separate movable piston valve within both enclosures. The valve assembly is made-up of several plate members which are stacked in overlying sealed relation to one another and with configurations to produce the interior spaces and passage.

Abstract: A seat cushion is mounted as a vehicle floor panel by a plastic anchor member adapted to be snap-fitted into position in a panel aperture by means of locking fingers. The anchor member has an oval-sectioned tubular open-ended body with the interior of its side walls formed with parallel mutually opposed pairs of ribs defining a pair of spaced upwardly open V-shaped notches. Each pair of ribs have their lower ends interconnected by mutually opposed base flanges defining therebeteween an elongated gap. The base flange undersurfaces are sloped upwardly providing an inverted V-shaped locking catch. The catch is adapted to capture the striker upon it being forcefully pushed downwardly into the V-notches allowing the striker to snappingly pass through the gap.

Abstract: In a fill tube of a vehicle fuel tank, an inlet forming device for receiving the nozzle of an associated fuel pump for filling the fuel tank and including an apertured seal member adapted to encircle the fuel nozzle to prevent fuel vapors from escaping therebetween. The device includes at least one vent opening which is normally blocked by an overlying edge portion of the seal member, but which is movable from its overlying position outward to vent fuel tank pressure. The overlying portion of the seal is normally biased to a closed position by the natural resiliency of an adjacent open celled foamed plastic material which also acts as a filter when the overlying edge portion of the seal is moved to a more open vent position.

Abstract: In a communication system for the transmission of messages through a data bus between one or more user microprocessors coupled to the data bus, the user microprocessors having either a serial communications interface (SCI) port or a serial peripheral interface (SPI) port along with a clock port and an input/output port, the user microprocessors being coupled to the data bus by a bus interface integrated circuit, a method to transmit and receive data in a buffered serial peripheral interface (SPI) mode of operation in conjunction with a method of arbitrating data on the data bus.