Abstract: The invention provides a one-piece mounting bracket for mounting a vehicle damper assembly to a knuckle, a vehicle damper assembly, and a method for mounting a vehicle damper assembly to a knuckle. The one-piece mounting bracket includes a body having first and second opposing portions; the body portions include at least one opening formed therein. The bracket further includes a plurality of straps operably attached adjacent end portions of the first and second body portions. The bracket is adapted for operable attachment to a portion of the vehicle damper assembly with a plurality of proximate welds. The vehicle damper assembly includes a damper including a reservoir tube, and a one-piece mounting bracket operably attached to the reservoir tube with a plurality of proximate welds. The mounting method includes providing a one-piece mounting bracket, attaching the bracket to a portion of the vehicle damper assembly by a proximate welding process, and attaching the bracket to the knuckle.

Abstract: A rotary damper for use in motor vehicle suspensions comprising a rotor disposed within damping fluid in a fluid chamber of a case to form fluid volumes, with valves for flow control and an accumulator for fluid fill variation and thermal expansion mounted internal to the rotor. A first check valve and first control valve mounted in a first flow passage within the rotor allow flow from second fluid volume to first fluid volume, but restrict flow from the first fluid volume to the second fluid volume. Similarly, a second check valve and a second control valve mounted in a second flow passage within the rotor allow flow from the first fluid volume to the second fluid volume, but restrict flow from the second fluid volume to the first fluid volume. Thus, the valves are configured to provide independent control of damping for each direction of rotation.

Abstract: A method of positioning a cap on an output rod of a power booster comprises holding the cap in a fixed position, inserting a shaft of the cap into a bore in the output rod, and fixing the cap relative to the output rod.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical structure including a semiconductor layer mounted to an annular support structure via an isolation layer wherein the semiconductor layer is micromachined to form a suspended body having a plurality of suspension projections extending from the body to the rim and groups of integral projections extending toward but spaced from the rim between said suspension projections. Each projection in said groups has a base attached to the body and a tip proximate the rim. The structure includes a plurality of inward projections extending from and supported on the rim and toward the body. Each such projection has a base attached to the rim and a tip proximate the body; wherein the grouped projections and the inward projections are arranged in an interdigitated fashion to define a plurality of proximate projection pairs independent of the suspension elements such that a primary capacitive gap is defined between the projections of each projection pair.

Abstract: A rotary damper for use in motor vehicle suspensions comprising a rotor disposed within damping fluid in a fluid chamber of a casing to form inner fluid volume and outer fluid volume, with first valve and second valve for controlling flow between the inner fluid volume and the outer fluid volume, and an accumulator using closed cell foam as a compressible material for fluid fill variation and thermal expansion. First valve controls flow from the outer fluid volume to the inner fluid volume for one direction of rotation of the rotor, while second valve controls flow from the inner fluid volume to the outer fluid volume for the opposite rotation of the rotor. Thus, the valves are configured to provide independent control of damping for each direction of rotation. A valve holder supporting the valves and providing flow passages is designed for powdered metallurgy fabrication.

Abstract: The problem of flow induced instability in a control valve for a vehicle damper is solved by a generally tubular shaped valve spool having an open, bridged, flow-through end, rather than side flow openings. The flow-through end of the spool has a narrow flat edge oriented perpendicularly to the axis of the spool, with an inside surface of the spool forming a 55 to 90 degree angle with the flat edge, and meeting the flat edge in a sharp corner.

Abstract: A haptic braking method and system is disclosed. A controller operates a pump to apply brake fluid to a brake when it is necessary to decelerate a wheel during an active cruise control mode of a vehicle. The controller further operates one or more valves to cyclically vary a pressure level of the brake fluid to cause one or more haptic movements of the brake.

Abstract: A fuel pump includes a pumping plunger reciprocable within a bore formed in a pump housing under the influence of a cam drive arrangement. The cam drive arrangement includes a reciprocable tappet member, a surface associated with the tappet member defining, in part, an auxiliary pumping chamber. A flow path interconnects the auxiliary pumping chamber and the bore such that fuel displaced from the auxiliary pumping chamber, in use, can be supplied through the flow path to the bore.

Abstract: A pressure sensor connector (10) for use with a pressure sensor element (12) that includes a plurality of pressure sensor terminals (13). The pressure sensor connector (10) includes a cap (18), a plurality of connector terminals (20) and a frame element (22). A plurality of contacts (24), included in the frame element (22), connect each of the plurality of connector terminals (20) to a corresponding pressure sensor terminal (13).

Abstract: A resistive surface pad 10 is provided, including a first upper contact surface 32, a second upper contact surface 34, a first lower contact surface 38 and a second lower contact surface 40. The first upper contact surface 32 and the second upper contact surface 34 are shaped to form a generally arc-shaped upper contact gap 36. The first lower contact surface 38 and the second lower contact surface 40 are shaped to form a generally arc-shaped lower contact gap 42. The second upper contact surface 34 and the second lower contact surface 40 are shaped to form a continuous, generally horizontal, center contact gap 44.

Abstract: A head up display (HUD) has multiple light sources of varying intensities for projecting a high quality image under various lighting conditions. The light sources provide illumination through an electronic display (e.g. an AMLCD) in the HUD. A high brightness light source illuminates the electronic display during bright or day light conditions. A low brightness light source illuminates the electronic display during night or low light conditions. Both light sources illuminate the electronic display during intermediate lighting conditions. A light panel conducts and diffuses light from the light sources to illuminate the rear of the electronic display. An optional light mixer reduces uneven lighting of the high brightness light source. In operation, the intensities of the light sources are controlled as a function of ambient lighting conditions to optimise the projected image quality.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment a vehicle instrument, comprising: a housing; a light pipe disposed in said housing; an applique disposed on a face of said light pipe; and a retainer disposed over said face of said light pipe, said retainer having structure pressing against an outer periphery of said applique to hold said applique against said face of said light pipe, said applique having no other means of attachment to said face of said light pipe.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor modifies motor commutation events to reduce noise by providing overlapping activation of the switch being deactivated with the switch being newly activated so that three switches are temporarily activated. The newly activated switch is pulse width modulated with a motor torque controlling duty cycle, and the switch being deactivated is pulse width modulated synchronously with the newly activated switch but with a duty cycle decreasing from the torque controlling duty cycle. The decreasing modulation of the switch being deactivated allows a slower current decrease in the phase turning off to reduce or eliminate the disturbances, and thus the noise. The decreasing modulation is preferably exponential in manner, with a time constant varying inversely with motor speed so that the duty cycle reaches a predetermined minimum in a predetermined maximum number of motor electrical degrees.

Abstract: A method for making a sensor is disclosed, comprising mixing a metal oxide with a polymer to create a composition. The composition is applied to at least a portion of the sensing element comprising two electrodes with an electrolyte disposed therebetween, and calcined to form a protective coating. A gas sensor created in accordance with the above-referenced method is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a process that includes providing an extruded fitting having a bore formed therein. The bore is machined from one or both sides of the extruded fitting to provide a ledge on one side for interacting with a corresponding fitting and a stop on the other. A pipe and braze sleeve are placed in combination into the bore and engage the stop. The pipe and bore include anti-rotation and location irregularities formed thereon to maintain a desired orientation of the parts. A mandrel is used to deform the pipe and sleeve to the shape of the bore. The parts are then brazed in a furnace.

Abstract: A method for preparing lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries to reduce water content and cell impedance. A battery having improved calendar life is prepared by electrochemically treating the activated cell by applying a voltage to the cell to react oxygen provided or trapped in the cell with moisture present as an unavoidable impurity. The electrochemical treatment of the present invention decreases the water content in the cell, thereby lowering cell impedance and extending battery life.

Abstract: The invention provides a damper assembly (10) comprising a housing (12) defining an inner chamber (22, 24) having a damping fluid disposed therein. A piston rod (14) is slidably retained by the housing (12), and at least partially extends into, the chamber (22, 24). A piston (18) is disposed at a first distal end (21) of the piston rod (14) and strokes inside the housing (12). The piston (18) defines a first chamber (22) and a second chamber (24) within the housing (12) and includes at least one aperture (26) for allowing damping fluid to flow between the first (22) and second (24) chambers. An actuator (30) is disposed within the piston (18) for varying the flow of damping fluid through the aperture (26) between the first (22) and second (24) chambers within the housing (12). The piston rod (14) includes an inner bore (16) that receives pressurized air from an external source for communicating pneumatic control signals to the actuator (30).

Abstract: A governor comprising a centrifugal weight mechanism coupled to an angularly adjustable metering valve member and an adjuster for adjusting the axial position of the meeting valve member to permit droop control.

Abstract: Master cylinder pressure of either or both of the primary and secondary braking circuits is sensed by a pressure sensor or sensors mounted in a manifold which is installed directly on a brake pressure modulator housing when the modulator is manufactured. The pressure sensors receive power and are grounded through the electronic control unit which is an integral component of the modulator; accordingly, the sensors do not require external electrical connections other than those already provided on the modulator. Since the sensing manifold is installed and tested for leaks when the modulator is manufactured and before the modulator is shipped to the vehicle assembly plant, assembly operations in addition to those required in installation of the modulator in the vehicle braking system are not required.

Abstract: A spark ignition assembly for use in a spark ignition system of an internal combustion engine, and an assembly method therefor. The spark ignition assembly includes a housing within which a spark plug, ignition coil and connector are housed. The spark plug has an insulator body, a first electrode and a ground electrode at a first end of the insulator body, and a terminal at an oppositely-disposed second end of the insulator body. The ignition coil is electrically connected to the terminal of the spark plug and to the connector, through which an electric voltage is applied to the ignition coil. The housing preferably contains a liquid injection molding (LIM) compound that surrounds the ignition coil and at least portions of the connector and spark plug.