Abstract: The snap-on steering column shroud assembly includes an upper shroud and a lower shroud. The upper shroud has an upper steering shaft passage portion that is positioned vertically, axially and angularly relative to the upper steering shaft. A front edge is moved toward the steering column to move upper shroud cantilever snap fasteners into engagement with the steering column. Force is applied manually to force the upper shroud snap fasteners into a retaining position. A lower shroud is aligned with the upper shroud by alignment posts and alignment post receivers and then raised into contact with the steering column. Lower shroud cantilevered snap fasteners are manually forced into a lower shroud retaining position on the steering column. Snap connectors and snap receivers connect the upper shroud to the lower shroud.

Abstract: A splash shield for a vehicle wheel disc brake assembly is provided. Each wheel disc brake assembly includes a brake rotor having an inner brake surface and a splash shield. The splash shield includes a central attachment portion. Extending from the central attachment portion is a flange-shaped shield portion. The shield portion has an outer surface with a plurality of generally radially extending vanes formed on the outer surface of the shield portion, the vanes being positioned adjacent the inner brake surface of the brake rotor when the splash shield is mounted to the vehicle.

Abstract: A variable end-of-travel stop mechanism, for controlling the rotation of a steering shaft in a steer-by-wire steering system having a controller, includes a first clutch assembly having a first roller clutch engaged to the steering shaft, a first rotary brake engaged to the first roller clutch, and a first electrical connector connected to the first brake and in signal communication with the controller. The first clutch assembly is operative to prevent the rotation of the steering column in a first direction when activated. The stop mechanism further includes a second clutch assembly having a second roller clutch engaged to the steering shaft, a second rotary brake engaged to the second roller clutch and a second electrical connector connected to the second brake and in signal communication with the controller. The second clutch assembly is operative to prevent the rotation of the steering column in a second direction counter to the first direction when activated.

Abstract: A bell crank assembly is mounted on an automotive door module of a vehicle that includes a panel. The panel supports a door latch assembly that includes a lock mechanism that is operated by a sill button and rod inside the vehicle that is located on the inner or dry side of the panel and moveable vertically with respect to the panel. The lock mechanism is operated by the sill button and rod via a generally horizontal rod that is located on the exterior or wet side of panel. The bell crank assembly connects the sill button rod to the exterior rod through an extruded hole in the panel. The bell crank assembly includes an inboard lever and an outboard lever. The inboard lever has an input end that is attached to the sill button rod and an output end. The output end has a round boss that fits in the extruded hole of the panel with a running fit to provide an axle for pivoting bell crank assembly with respect to panel.

Abstract: An expansible enclosure adapted for storage across the flooring surface of a transportation vehicle beneath the foot of an occupant. The enclosure is expansible away from the underlying flooring surface and generally towards the foot of the occupant so as to engage the foot during a deceleration event thereby providing prolonged supporting contact to the foot during the deceleration event.

Abstract: A system for barrier proximity detection, comprising a short-range detection (SRD) sensor, a barrier proximity detection system (BPDS) controller, and an operator display and control. The SRD sensor mounted on the vehicle detects the distance to objects and transmits a distance signal to the BPDS controller. The BPDS controller provides an operator control signal to the operator display and control for the driver's use. The BPDS controller may also store preset alarms, distance setpoints, or desired ranges for repeated use. The operator display and control may be a gradient alert display with audible alarms or an alphanumeric display to indicate the distance to an object with a preset target distance. The method provides the steps of measuring a desired range between the front of a vehicle and a barrier and storing the desired range in the BPDS, then using the desired range to provide a clear indication to the driver.

Abstract: A safety redundant drive by wire system includes a plurality of first control members to which control signals may be communicated and a plurality of device controllers adapted to deliver control signals to a respective first control member. Each device controller includes a first microprocessor for communicating control signals to the first control member and all other device controllers. Each device controller further includes a second microprocessor for redundantly communicating control signals to all other device controllers and for communicating with the first microprocessor. The system includes a dual redundant communication channel system having a first communication channel controlled by the first microprocessor of each device controller and a second communication channel controlled by the second microprocessor of each device controller.

Abstract: A gas sensor is disclosed comprising an oxygen pump cell having at least one exterior pump electrode and at least one interior pump electrode disposed on opposite sides of a first solid electrolyte layer. An emf cell having a first and second emf electrodes and first and second reference gas electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of a second solid electrolyte layer. At least one insulating layer is in contact with the first and second emf electrodes. At least one via hole is disposed through the first solid electrolyte layer. At least one air channel is disposed through at least one insulating layer. An air vent is disposed in at least one insulating layer in contact with the first and second reference gas electrodes. A heater is disposed in thermal communication with the sensor. And at least five electrical leads are in electrical communication with said sensor. A method of using a gas sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake system comprises a piston disposed in a bore, a reservoir, and a solenoid. A channel is in fluid communication between the bore and the reservoir, and the solenoid is disposed in the channel. The solenoid is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the solenoid blocks fluid communication between the bore and the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of an engine fuel system including at least one fuel injector, a high pressure fuel pump for delivering fuel to the injector and a pressure sensor arranged to provide an output signal indicative of the pressure of fuel delivered to the injector, comprises the steps of controlling the rate of flow of fuel delivered from the pump to the injector by means of a metering valve arrangement supplied with a control current, measuring the speed of the engine and monitoring the status of the pressure sensor so as to determine whether a fault condition has occurred within the sensor. In the event that a fault condition has occurred in the pressure sensor, the control current supplied to the metering valve arrangement is varied in response to the measured engine speed signal so as to maintain operation of the engine at a substantially constant, predetermined engine speed. The invention also relates a fuel system for implementing the control method.

Abstract: A valve-deactivation hydraulic valve lifter including a conventional hydraulic lash adjuster means disposed within a pin housing slidably disposed in a lifter body. A transverse bore in the pin housing contains opposed locking pins for selectively engaging a circumferential groove including a locking surface in the lifter body whereby the lifter body and the pin housing may be engaged or disengaged to activate or deactivate a pushrod controlling an engine valve. Ends of the locking pins are spherical so that the pins cannot become stuck in corners in the groove. The groove corner is rounded be either a positive radius or a negative radius to remove a sharp corner known to be an originating and propagating point for stress failure of the lifter body in prior art lifters. The edge of each pin and the edge of the locking surface are chamfered to prevent damage to these edges during locking and unlocking. A second surface intermediate an outer surface of the pin housing and the transverse bore is also provided.

Abstract: An improved method of operation for an electromechanical purge valve of a vehicle evaporative emission control system reduces the activation level of the purge valve below a nominal minimum level by a variable offset amount under specified operating conditions to lower purge flow. Specifically, the low flow control is permitted when the fuel in the purge vapor being drawn into the engine exceeds a calibrated percentage of the engine fuel requirement and the activation level of the purge valve has been reduced to the nominal minimum, provided that the system voltage level is at or above a specified value. When low flow control is permitted, the offset amount is incrementally increased so long as the engine fuel control is able to maintain the air/fuel ratio error at or below a calibrated amount, and incrementally decreased when the low flow control is no longer permitted or the air/fuel ratio becomes lean enough to potentially degrade combustion stability.

Abstract: An improved occupant detection system and method includes a fluid-filled polymeric seat cushion bladder defining multiple fluid-filled chambers corresponding to different areas of the seat cushion, with no fluid flow between such chambers. Fluid pressures in the various individual chambers are detected and processed to develop a weight estimation that is compensated for occupant position. The chambers are configured to detect occupant weight in at least forward, rearward, inboard and outboard regions of the bottom seat cushion. When the detected pressures are unevenly distributed and the pressure in the forward, rearward, inboard or outboard regions of the seat exceeds the average pressure by at least a predetermined amount, a composite pressure indicative of occupant weight is adjusted in a direction to bias the suppression status in favor of allowing restraint deployment, unless the occupant is forwardly positioned on a seat that is also forwardly positioned.

Abstract: A gas sensor, comprising an oxygen pump cell with a first pump electrode and a second pump electrode disposed on opposite sides of a first solid electrolyte layer and a second pump electrode. The sensor also comprises an emf cell with an emf electrode and a reference gas electrode disposed on opposite sides of a second solid electrolyte layer. The emf electrode is disposed in fluid communication to the second pump electrode. A via hole is disposed through the first solid electrolyte layer, such that the first pump electrode is in fluid communication with the second pump electrode. A protective insulating layer, having a passage for gas to be sensed, is disposed in contact with the first pump electrode. A first insulating layer, having a conduit, is disposed in contact with the emf electrode. A second insulating layer, having an air channel, is disposed in contact with the reference gas electrode. A heater is disposed in thermal communication with the emf cell.

Abstract: A heat sink structure is provided for a rectifier assembly of an air-cooled generator. The heat sink structure comprises a substantially annular base having inner and outer edges. The inner and/or outer edges have (has) a cooling fin arrangement projecting out from the base. The heat sink structure is provided with diode mounts. Each diode mount is adapted to retain a respective diode in a thermally conductive (and preferably press-fit) manner. Heat from each diode is transferred to the base and cooling fin arrangement, to provide a heat sink effect. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a heat sink structure. The method comprises the steps of configuring a sheet of thermally conductive material to include a substantially annular base and radial extensions of the base, and bending the radial extensions so that the radial extensions are substantially perpendicular to the annular base. Perpendicular extensions or prongs thus are defined. A rectifier assembly is provided.

Abstract: A N-mode control method for providing an input control signal to control an output of a plant is disclosed. First, one or more error control signals and one or more output control signals are determined. Each error control signal is a function of one or more error output signals with each error output signal being indicative a differential between one or more measured output signals of the plant and one or more commanded output signals of the plant. Each output control signal is as a function of the one or more measured output signals. Second, the input control signal is determined as a function of a N dynamics control law when the error control signal(s) and the output control signal(s) collectively indicate the plant is operating in a 1st or 2nd or 3rd or . . . (N−1)th or Nth region of operation.

Abstract: A spacer for separating a brake booster from a wall comprises a support and a boot. The support is disposed between the booster and the wall, and has a breather port. The boot is integral with the support, and has a generally conical shape tapering from the wall toward a push rod of the booster.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle damper assembly including a housing including a fluid carried therein, a piston slidably carried in the housing, and a rod operably attached to the piston. The piston includes a curved portion positioned adjacent a housing inner surface. The invention further provides a vehicle damper assembly including housing means for carrying a fluid, piston means from reducing binding contact with the housing means, and rod means for moving the piston means. The invention further provides a method of reducing binding contact in a vehicle damper assembly. A longitudinal radius is determined for a piston based on a housing inner surface. The piston is formed with a curved portion based on the longitudinal radius. The curved portion is positioned adjacent the housing inner surface.

Abstract: A linear position sensor assembly includes a moving target and a stationary magnet. A magnetic sensor is placed adjacent to the magnet and senses changes in the magnetic flux density caused by the target moving within a magnetic field generated by the stationary magnet. The magnetic sensor outputs a signal that is linear over nearly the entire length of the target.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a steering column includes first and second elongated plastically deformable straps connected to the steering column. A bushing connected to stationary vehicle support structure is engagable with the straps in a manner such that when the steering column collapses the straps advance linearly across the bushing and thereby resist collapse of the steering column. One of the straps may be disconnected from the steering column at the instant of a crash event, in circumstances where less resistance to steering column collapse is desired.