Abstract: The present invention provides for a steering column assembly having a column jacket defining a longitudinal axis. A first clamping member and a second clamping member are disposed along the longitudinal axis about the column jacket. A lever is coupled to one of the first and second clamping members and rotatable between a set and adjustable positions. The lever includes a first arm and a second arm flanking the column jacket and coupled to at least one of the first and second clamping members with a portion of the locking device disposed about at least one of the first and second clamping members and engaging both of the first and second arms such that rotation of the lever moves the portion of the locking device for minimizing rotation of the lever between the set and adjustable positions when the locking device moves between a locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: A shielded electric cable assembly comprises a shielded electric cable and a shield terminal. The shield terminal comprises an inner ferrule and an outer ferrule. The inner ferrule is disposed between an inner insulation jacket of shielded electric cable and an exposed end portion of a conductive layer surrounding the inner insulation jacket. The outer ferrule is crimped about the exposed end portion of the woven metal shield to clamp exposed end portion of the conductive layer between the inner ferrule and the outer ferrule. The material of the outer ferrule is harder than the material of the inner ferrule so that crimped outer ferrule interlocks with the inner ferrule in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A vehicle disable system including an onboard computer linked to a throttle control relay. The onboard computer is capable of communicating to a remote control center by way of telecommunications link. If certain security protocols are breached, the control center communicates a shutdown command to the vehicle by way of the telecommunications link and the vehicle initiates a shutdown procedure for incapacitating the vehicle throttle controls.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of components having electrically-conductive mating surfaces therebetween, the surfaces are sealed by gasket elements that include first and second silver braze alloy layers and a dielectric layer, formed preferably of yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), disposed between the alloy layers. The alloy is capable of bonding to many ceramics, including YSZ, and is readily brazed to the oxide layer formed on many metals at elevated temperatures. Because the braze alloy is electrically conductive, a dielectric layer must be included to break conductivity in bonding applications where electrical insulation is required. YSZ functions as a reliable insulator and will not crystallize or fracture as do prior art glass insulators. The assembly is useful as an auxiliary power unit in a vehicle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method of producing a ceramic assembly includes: disposing an electrode precursor on an electrolyte precursor having an electrolyte sintering shrinkage, disposing a stabilizer precursor having a stabilizer sintering shrinkage on the electrode precursor on a side opposite the electrolyte precursor to form a precursor assembly, and sintering the precursor assembly to form the ceramic assembly comprising a stabilizer layer, electrode, and electrolyte. The difference between the electrolyte sintering shrinkage and the stabilizer sintering shrinkage is less than or equal to ±1% and a surface of the ceramic assembly has less than or equal to about 5.0 degrees camber, as measured from the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A method for forming a fuel cell assembly including the pre-final-assembly step of forming a plurality of fuel cell sub-assembly modules, each module including a predetermined number of individual fuel cell repeating units, for example, ten. Each module may be leak and performance tested and certified prior to inclusion in the final fuel cell stack, thus limiting potential rework to only an individual module and only before assembly of the final stack. Preferably, each module is assembled on an assembly fixture having alignment rods, using a combination of resilient gasketing and RTV to seal between the elements. The assembled module is then placed under compression while the silicone is cured.

Abstract: An inflation device for inflating an inflatable cushion of all airbag module, the inflation device having: a first chamber having a first volume of inflation gas; a second chamber having a second volume of inflation gas; a first inflation opening for allowing the first volume of inflation gas to pass therethrough and a first sealing member, the first sealing member sealing the first inflation opening; a second inflation opening for allowing the second volume of inflation gas to pass therethrough and a mechanically activateable pyrotechnic squib sealing the second inflation opening; a diffuser tube in fluid communication with the first inflation opening, the second inflation opening and the inflatable cushion; an initiator for removing a portion of the first sealing member from the first inflation opening; a projectile moveably disposed within the diffuser tube, the projectile further comprising a tip portion configured to activate the pyrotechnic squib when the projectile is moved from a first position to a s

Abstract: A clip for fastening an article to a panel having a hole has a base and a self expanding head extending upwardly from the base. The self-expanding head has at least one column rising from the base to a platform that is spaced from the base. First and second pluralities of resilient legs attached to the platform extend toward the base. The first plurality of resilient legs have first retention shoulders that are spaced from the base and the second plurality of resilient legs have second and third retention shoulders that are spaced from the base. The second and third retention shoulders are located respectively closer to the base than the first retention shoulders so that the clip can be attached to panels of varying thickness when the head is inserted through a hole in the panel with the base abutting one side of the panel adjacent the hole and the first retention shoulders or the second retention shoulders or the third retention shoulders abutting an opposite side of the panel adjacent the hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving a portion of a vehicle hood away from a portion of the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a first portion; a second portion, comprising; a fixed portion and a slidable portion slidably mounted to the first portion for movement between a first position and a second position, the fixed portion comprising a first opening at one end and an elongated opening, the slidable portion comprising a second opening juxtaposed to the first opening when the slidable portion is in the first position; a first connecting member being pivotally secured to the first portion at one end and releaseably secured to the second portion at another end by a pivot pin that is rotatably secured within the first opening and the second opening when the slidable portion is in the first position; a second connecting member being pivotally secured to the first portion at one end and slidably secured to the second portion at another end by a pin that is slidably received within the elongated opening of the fixe

Abstract: A motor comprising, a rotor having a shaped pole operative to minimize cogging torque and electro motive Force (EMF) harmonics, a stator having teeth members, the teeth members including, end portions, wherein the end portions partially define slot openings having a first dimension, and a notch opening defined by the end portions having a second dimension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a grommet for sealing a conduit to be passed through an opening against said opening. The grommet comprises a sealing body defining an opening therethrough for receiving the conduit as well as at least one sealing collar radially surrounding said sealing body in an unfolded state. The grommet further comprises a retaining means, which is configured for fixing said sealing collar in a folded state.

Abstract: A method for determining the optimum fuel injection timing angle in a CI engine provided with means disposed in one or more cylinders for measuring Indicated Mean Effective Pressure. The pressure level during the power stroke of a piston is a direct correlate of engine torque being generated, and the timing of fuel injection can increase or decrease the amount of torque. Thus, maximum torque can be obtained by optimizing the timing of fuel injection. An algorithm in the ECM varies the timing of fuel injection in a narrow range until a IMEP maximum is achieved, which timing is then retained and employed until the engine operating conditions change. Thus, the invention can optimize fuel economy by optimizing the torque obtained from each injection of fuel into the cylinders.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a load displacement system allowing transient loads of the steering mechanism to be displaced. The steering system also includes a first coupling mechanism coupling an electric motor to a rack housing, and a second coupling mechanism coupling a ball nut to a rack and method.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a detachable assembly including a circuit board that is connected to a cover by a resilient member. A bezel is adhesively attached to the glass of a vehicle having conductive antenna elements on the vehicle glass. The bezel includes guide surfaces and locating surfaces that accurately position the circuit board and antenna feed wire relative to the vehicle glass. The cover and circuit board can be detached from the bezel for servicing of the circuit board, and the guide and locating surfaces of the bezel provide for accurate positioning of a replacement detachable upper assembly during servicing/repair of the antenna system.

Abstract: A grounded wiper assembly for a fuel sensor includes a wiper housing for rotation relative to a variable resistor and a wiper with at least one contact operatively supported by the wiper housing for contacting the variable resistor as the wiper housing rotates. The grounded wiper assembly includes a float arm connected to the wiper housing and a float connected to the float arm such that the float moves the float arm and the wiper housing relative to the variable resistor as a level of fuel increases and decreases in the fuel tank. The grounded wiper assembly further includes a conductor interconnecting the float arm and the wiper to bleed off electrical charges attached to fuel to ground.

Abstract: An information system for a vehicle includes a computer for handling informational data. This information data includes vehicle data corresponding to operation of the vehicle and external data such as internet web pages and email. A primary display is connected to the computer and in a position to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle. A primary input device allows input to the computer and manipulation of the primary display. A plurality of remote communicators are also operatively connected to the computer and movable about the vehicle. Each of the remote communicators includes a secondary display and a secondary input device for sending input to the computer and manipulating the secondary display. The secondary input device is also programmed to control the primary display for manipulating the informational data that is displayed to the driver.

Abstract: A vehicle including a frame, left and right wheels, and a leaning suspension system. The frame defines a longitudinal vehicle axis. The leaning suspension system includes a transverse beam, left and right damping members, left and right control arms, and at least one lean actuator. The transverse beam is coupled to the frame and pivotable about the vehicle axis. The left and right damping members are pivotally coupled to the left and right sides of the transverse beam. The left control arm is pivotally coupled to the left wheel and to the frame, and the right control arm is pivotally coupled to the right wheel and to the frame. The lean actuator is pivotally connected between the frame and the transverse beam. The lean actuator is configured to extend and retract to tilt the left and right wheels and to lean the vehicle while cornering.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly having an inlet header, an outlet header spaced apart from and substantially parallel the inlet header, and a plurality of refrigerant tubes each extending between and in hydraulic communication with the inlet header and outlet header. Contained within the outlet header is a refrigerant collector conduit adapted to provide a predetermined pressure drop (?P) and having a cross-section area Acollector. The refrigerant collector includes a plurality of orifices having a cumulative orifice area (nAorifice) that are substantially equally spaced along the refrigerant collector. The collector conduit is in fluid communication with the outlet header for transferring the vapor phase of a two refrigerant. The collector conduit cross sectional area (Acollector) and cumulative orifice area (nAorifice) is described by the following equation: ? ? ? p = m dot 2 ? ? [ 467.892 ? ( 1 A collector 2 - 1 n 2 ? A orifice 2 ) + 51.

Abstract: A method for controlling a power steering system, the method including, receiving a first signal, determining a velocity from the first signal, determining a scale factor from a function of the velocity, multiplying the scale factor with a damping factor, and outputting a scaled damping factor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for remotely controlling multiple control functions from a single remote entry device has a plurality of unique device transmission codes stored in the memory of the remote entry device. Each code is selectable to enable a single remote entry device to remotely control functions in a plurality of different devices, such as vehicles.