Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a first vehicle frame component that is formed by deforming a closed channel structural member to have a relatively small end portion and a relatively large end portion. A member is provided having first and second ends. The relatively large end portion of the closed channel structural member is secured to the first end portion of the member to form the first vehicle frame component. A plurality of second vehicle frame components are provided. The first vehicle frame component and the plurality of second vehicle frame components are secured together to form the vehicle frame assembly.

Abstract: A valve stem seal assembly for an internal combustion engine includes an elastomer seal body and a metal retainer adapted to secure the seal body in place over a valve guide. The cylindrical seal body has an aperture with at least one radially inwardly directed sealing lip adapted to engage a reciprocally movable valve stem to minimize escape of oil lubricant from the engine along a path between the valve guide and stem. The retainer, formed of a spring metal cylindrical body adapted to frictionally retain the seal body at its upper end, contains first and second sets of axially depending resilient fingers at its lower end. The first set of fingers mechanically engages and supports a unique valve guide member within a valve guide aperture of a cylinder head deck, while the second set of fingers supports the seal assembly directly against the head deck under a valve spring.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a bowl assembly and a head member enclosing a filter cartridge. A filter center tube is permanently fixed to the bowl but allowed to rotate within a pocket in the bottom of the bowl. The top of the center tube is threaded for fastening to a stud on the filter mounting head. The center tube cannot be threaded onto the stud without the filter assembled over the center tube and into the bowl. In order to assemble the bowl to the head, the operator must turn the outside of the bowl. If a filter is not present, the bowl will turn independently of the center tube and no torque is transmitted to the threads. When the filter is properly installed, a series of tabs or features spaced around the inner perimeter of the wall of the bowl interlock with corresponding grooves or features in the outside diameter of the end cap of the filter. Tabs or features on the outer diameter of the center tube also interlock with grooves or features in the inside diameter of the end cap.

Abstract: A multi-layer steel cylinder head gasket includes a spacer layer between two beaded mirror image outer layers. A wire ring stopper extends about the boundary of a combustion opening in the stopper layer; the ring is radially spaced from the mirror image beaded outer layer extremities. The ring is covered by a flange folded thereover; the flange extends radially outwardly to overlie the boundary edge of the stopper layer at the combustion opening. The stopper ring pre-stresses the gasket interface at the combustion opening upon securement of a cylinder head to an engine block. Because the stopper ring is spaced from the beaded outer layers, the stresses imposed on the wire ring are decoupled from the beaded outer layers, and lower incidences of bead cracking are realized. In addition, the wire ring diameter is greater than the thickness of the stopper layer, reducing unnecessary compression loads on the stopper layer.

Abstract: A self-dampening vessel is disclosed for use with any fluid system. The vessel receives a fluid and encounters pressure pulsations, flow distribution problems, noises and/or vibrations from changes in the fluid pressure. To combat these undesired effects without the use of a separate damper, the vessel comprises a tubular member having opposing sides and opposing ends. The sides of the tubular member may vary in shape, but the sides are typically connected by rounded ends. When subjected to pressure changes, the tubular member adapts and expands or retracts from a neutral position. Furthermore, the ends of the tubular member may include an opening with an endcap attached to cover the opening. The endcap includes a port for mating the vessel to a fluid source. Alternative, the ends may be sealed and an outer surface of the tubular member may include the port integrally.

Abstract: A bearing and a bearing alloy composition are described, the bearing alloy comprising in weight %: tin 5-10; copper 0.7-1.3; nickel 0.7-1.3; silicon 1.5-3.5; vanadium 0.1-0.3; manganese 0.1-0.3; and the balance being aluminium apart from unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cylinder head gasket (1) for sealing a region between the cylinder head and the cylinder block of a combustion engine, comprising at least one sealing plate (2) that features several adjacent combustion chamber passages (3, 4) and a corresponding combustion chamber bead (5) running around the combustion chamber passage (3), wherein there is a stopper (6) that acts as a displacement limiter for the combustion chamber bead, wherein the stopper is interrupted in the region (10) between two combustion chamber passages (3, 4) and extends essentially over the entire area of the sealing plate (2) where there are no openings.

Abstract: The subject invention is a cooling system of an internal combustion engine having a wet-sleeve cylinder liner that improves heat reduction efficiency as compared with traditional cylinder liners. The improved liner has an outer surface with a plurality of peaks and valleys. The peaks and valleys create an increased surface area of the outer surface thereby increasing contact with a cooling medium and more efficiently reducing heat within the engine. The peaks and valleys are positioned along the entire length of the cylinder liner and are generally arcuate in a sinusoidal pattern. The liner also includes an inner surface of the liner that remains generally planar for receiving a piston. Finally, one end of the liner also includes a flange for mating the liner to a counterbore of the engine.

Abstract: A coating used to seal together surfaces of components is disclosed. The coating reduces costs associated with using gaskets and fine machining of metal components, and has slip characteristics that allow sealed components to move without eroding the coating. The coating is particularly useful in high temperature environments such as the exhaust systems of motor vehicles. Methods of using coatings to seal components are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite hose includes a conductive fiber media extending contiguously from one end of the hose to the other. The conductive fiber media is covered by silver plating, and in one described embodiment comprises a silver-plated nylon fiber. The nylon fiber provides a flexible medium not readily prone to breakage, while the silver plating provides relatively low electrical resistance, due to its relatively high electrical conductivity, for avoiding potentially lethal effects of static electricity. In one described embodiment, the hose includes an inner layer of an insulation material, such as rubber. An electrically conductive fiber strand is applied over the inner layer in a spiral pattern, and an outer cover material is an extruded over the inner layer of the hose and the fiber strand. In another embodiment, the hose includes a textile braided yam layer positioned directly above the strand over the inner layer, immediately beneath the outer cover.

Abstract: A target tire pressure learning method wherein tire pressure is ascertained via a central pressure sensor. The method of learning a target tire pressure for a tire maintained by a tire pressure maintenance system, having conduit assemblies for conducting fluid to and/or from the tire and a pressure sensor for ascertaining fluid pressure in the conduit assemblies, according to the invention includes ascertaining a current tire pressure with the pressure sensor and designating the current tire pressure as a target tire pressure.

Abstract: A steer axle kingpin assembly is provided that eliminates the need for draw keys. The assembly includes A kingpin body that is received within a kingpin bore of a steer axle and extends along a longitudinal axis. The body includes an axially extending bore and a radially extending bore in communication with the axially extending bore. Ball bearings are disposed within the radially extending bore. A lock pin is inserted into the axially extending bore and urges the ball bearings outward into engagement with the kingpin bore of the steer axle.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling the amount of coolant exiting an engine is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve housing that is mounted to the engine and defines a passage that is in fluid communication with a coolant outlet in the engine. A motor in the valve housing drives a valve shaft that extends into the passage and on which a butterfly valve plate is mounted. The physical geometry of the inventive assembly is not significantly effected by changes in coolant temperature or coolant contamination and the integrates the valve member and actuator in a single assembly to improve packaging and material use and eliminates potential coolant leak points.

Abstract: A differential allowing relatively easy alignment and secure positioning of bearings is provided. The differential includes a differential carrier and a differential case disposed within the carrier. A bearing assembly is located between the differential carrier and the differential case and allows the differential case to rotate within the differential carrier. The differential carrier and a cup of the bearing assembly having mating threads allowing relatively easy alignment of the bearing assembly within the differential. A deformable member is attached to the bearing assembly cup and is deformed and inserted into a slot in the differential carrier upon alignment of the bearing assembly to securely position the bearing assembly.

Abstract: An elastomeric valve stem seal component is adapted for installation over a valve guide of an internal combustion engine. The seal component incorporates fabric reinforcement within an annular jacket body of the component. In one preferred form, the fabric is positioned intermediate two elastomeric layers of the seal body; i.e. between an inner layer and an outer layer. One preferred manufacturing method provides extrusion of a tube having a fabric reinforcement layer already provided between inner and outer layers. A cutting die incorporates a push ring adapted to move the component along a staged molding assembly process. A series of threaded core pins are utilized for conveyance of the component in the fabrication process, which includes extruding a rubber tube and cover over a series of threaded core pins, cutting a portion of the rubber tube to a predetermined length, and molding the predetermined length to produce the component.

Abstract: Apparatus for suppressing fluid-borne noise in a fluid conduit (12 or 12a) that includes a vibration sensor (36, 36a or 36b) for operative coupling to the conduit for providing an electrical sensor signal as a function of fluid pressure fluctuations in the conduit. A piezoelectric actuator (40, 40a or 40b) is adapted to be mounted on the conduit for imparting pressure fluctuations to fluid in the conduit. An electronic controller (38, 38a or 38b) is responsive to the sensor signal for energizing the actuator 180° out of phase with fluid pressure fluctuations sensed by the sensor. The sensor may be either closely coupled to the actuator, or separate from the actuator and disposed upstream of the actuator with respect to the direction of fluid flow through the conduit. The sensor in the preferred embodiments of the invention comprises a piezoelectric sensor, and the actuator comprises a stack of piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: An oil control ring for a piston of an internal combustion engine has an annular body defining a central axis. The ring has a U-shaped cross-section formed of a centrally positioned web extending parallel to the axis and a pair of axially spaced rail portions integrally connected to the web. Each rail portion extends radially outwardly with respect to the web, and an extremity of each rail portion defines a land extending parallel to the axis and adapted to sealingly engage a cylinder wall. Each land defines a pair of spaced chamfered sidewalls. Each sidewall extends contiguously from each land to define a chamfered edge adjacent the land. Finally, each chamfered edge defines a concave annular sidewall. The result is a reduction of land surface area in contact with the cylinder walls of an engine to provide improved performance, particularly during the engine break-in period.

Abstract: A heat-resistant multi-layer hose is described. The hose includes inner and outer elastomeric layers, and an intermediate reinforcing layer. The inner and outer layers each include a substantial fraction of ethylene-octene copolymer, and may include one or more compatible polymers such as EPDM, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, and chlorinated polyethylene. The use of relatively large amounts of ethylene-octene copolymer results in improved high heat resistance.

Abstract: A fuel rail formed by hydroforming. The hydroforming process includes applying a seal onto a fuel tube, and installing fuel injector blocks, including fuel injector ports, onto the tube in desired positions. The fuel tube assembly is placed in a die assembly, and pressurized fluid is supplied to the interior of the tube. The pressurized fluid causes the tube to expand outwardly into engagement with the blocks, and to pierce holes through the tube within each of the blocks to provide fluid communication with the associated fuel injector and other ports.

Abstract: A valve stem seal component overcomes potential orientation misplacement, particularly in cases where no valve stem seal is to be used on an adjacent valve. The component includes an integral locator feature for assuring proper installation atop a valve guide of an internal combustion engine. A plurality of such seal components are employed per engine, each component designed for insertion over at least the intake valve guide of each cylinder. Each component includes a valve stem seal module adapted to be installed over the intake valve guide. A locator is attached to the module via a radial connection portion that extends between the module and locator. The radial connection portion includes an arcuate edge that fits in only one orientation against a curvilinear edge of a boss on the cylinder head. In one described embodiment, the locator is a circular ring adapted to be installed over an exhaust guide.