Abstract: A steering system with reduced coupling between a position overlay unit and a torque overlay unit may include a remote valve assembly for controlling a hydraulic assist force or an electric motor for providing torque overlay and electric assist to a rack of a rack and pinion steering system. In one embodiment, the position overlay unit may provide the assist force and the torque overlay unit may provide a motor command signal to the motor of a differential positioned on a steering shaft. In another embodiment, the position overlay unit may provide the motor command signal and the torque overlay unit may provide the assist force. In either embodiment, the position overlay unit may include variable ratio gain that uses a position signal to output a variable ratio command.

Abstract: A brake apply master cylinder includes a body and a piston assembly. The body includes a bore. The bore has a longitudinal axis, a closed front end, a primary fluid outlet fluidly connectable to a primary brake circuit, and a secondary fluid outlet fluidly connectable to a secondary brake circuit. The piston assembly includes a single brake apply piston positioned in the bore. The piston assembly fluidly divides the bore into a primary fluid chamber in fluid communication with the primary fluid outlet and a secondary fluid chamber in fluid communication with the secondary fluid outlet. Another brake apply master cylinder includes a body, a piston assembly, and a return spring assembly. The return spring assembly is positioned in the bore of the body and extends from the closed front end of the bore to a return-spring seat of a single brake apply piston of the piston assembly.

Abstract: A sensing circuit for detecting open and short circuit conditions in sensors is provided. The sensing circuit includes switching circuitry, a voltage supply, a test capacitor, and an operational amplifier. The switching circuitry is electrically coupled to the voltage supply, test capacitor, operational amplifier, and a sensor. The sensing circuit is configured to provide for a normal operating mode in which the sensing circuit provides an output indicative of a voltage across the sensor, and a charging mode in which the test capacitor is coupled to the sensor and operational amplifier and charged to a steady state, and in which the output of the operational amplifier is a function of the test capacitor capacitance and the capacitance of the sensor. A method for detecting open and short circuit conditions in sensors is also provided.

Abstract: An enclosure for enclosing piezoelectric elements of a piezoelectric actuator comprises a side wall that is shaped to define at least one strain compensation formation selected from a longitudinally-extensible part at which the side wall can be extended or contracted parallel to a longitudinal axis of the enclosure; and an inwardly-deflectable part at which the side wall can be deflected transversely to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An electronic component assembly includes an electrical component assembled to a base and mounted to a support. The component electrical leads protrude through holes, along a channel, and make contact with connectors on the base. The base is formed of a polymeric material and contains protrusions for mechanically supporting the electrical component. When the base is mounted to the support, the connectors complete the electrical connection between the electrical component and the support.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly including a column jacket moveable in at least one of a telescoping direction and a raking direction is disclosed. First and second gears are coupled to a rake bracket and mesh with each other with the first gear rotatable about a first pivot axis transverse to a longitudinal axis and the second gear rotatable about a second pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal axis and spaced above the first pivot axis such that rotation of the first gear causes rotation of the second gear. A cam mechanism is coupled to the rake bracket and to each of the first and second gears with the cam mechanism movable along the first and second pivot axes during rotation of the first and second gears for selectively engaging the rake bracket to prevent movement of the column jacket in at least one of the telescoping and raking directions.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a compressor recirculation valve involves establishing a compressor surge flow threshold expressed in terms of a compressor corrected volume air flow rate. A torque-based engine management system computes a desired mass air flow rate in accordance with a torque request and other operating/predetermined data. The desired mass air flow rate is converted into a desired, corrected volume air flow rate, which is then compared to the compressor surge flow threshold. The controller is configured to open the valve when the desired corrected volume air flow rate is less than the compressor surge flow threshold. A hysteresis function is implemented by providing a surge flow hysteresis threshold that is offset from and greater than the initial compressor surge flow threshold. The controller is configured to close the recirculation valve when the desired corrected volume air flow rate becomes greater than the surge flow hysteresis threshold.

Abstract: A harmonic drive linear actuator includes a first annular member defining a longitudinal axis and lying on a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first member is relatively flexible along a direction parallel to the plane. A second member is substantially coaxially aligned with the first member to define opposed substantially cylindrical surfaces and are fixed for non-relative rotation about the longitudinal axis. An actuator is provided for flexing the first annular member into at least two spaced-apart points of contact between the opposed surfaces and for sequentially flexing the first member to rotate the at least two points of contact circumferentially about the axis. The first and second surfaces define cooperating thread-forms thereon, which selectively engage to effect controlled, bidirectional relative axial displacement between the members in response to sequential flexure of the first member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation assembly with which a motor vehicle antenna can be fastened to the body of a motor vehicle without an additional tool. The installation assembly includes a base plate from which at least one fastening section to be introduced through an opening of the body into the interior thereof projects. Furthermore, the installation assembly includes a latch body which is to be arranged in the interior of the body, which cooperates with the fastening section and which has a support section which is spaced apart from the base plate by a clear spacing.

Abstract: A system for mitigating driver distraction and/or drowsiness for a vehicle having a steering wheel and windshield comprises an arm that is adapted for attachment to the vehicle so that the arm is juxtaposed an exterior surface of the windshield and so that it sweeps a portion of the exterior surface of the windshield in front of the steering wheel to provide a motion signal. The system includes a driver distraction and/or drowsiness monitor and a control device responsive to the driver monitor, for operating the arm. The arm preferably is part of a windshield wiper assembly and preferably includes a visual signal and/or an auditory signal. A method for refocusing the attention of a distracted driver uses elements of the system.

Abstract: A variable force rate vacuum booster including a reaction disk having an input surface and an output surface, the reaction disk being formed from a deformable material, an input rod position relative to the reaction disk to apply an input force to the input surface of the reaction disk, an output rod having a reaction surface generally engaged with the output surface of the reaction disk, the output rod defining a bore therein, and a plunger positioned in the bore and biased out of the bore by a biasing force, the plunger being adapted to resist deformation of the reaction disk into the bore until the input force reaches a threshold value.

Abstract: A valve includes a film having side edges and an opening to extend across a passage in a housing of a HVAC system. The film has a circular aperture in the film adjacent each rounded corner of each opening for relieving stress. Either or both of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the film are undulated to prevent deformation of the edges. A pair of racks is disposed on the film and sprockets engage the teeth of the racks for moving the racks and the film linearly. Each rack includes a strap and bearing member for retaining the associated sprocket in engagement with the teeth. The bearing member is in rolling engagement with a bearing surface of the associated strap as it rotates with the sprockets.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the identity of a first detected satellite and to determine a second scan position for a satellite of interest based in part on the identity of the first detected satellite is disclosed. In one example the identity of the first detected satellite may be determined based on a satellite beacon or identifier.

Abstract: Methods, manufactured parts, and computer programs for horizontally structured manufacturing. A blank is selected for machining into an actual part, and a coordinate system is established. A plurality of process bodies are created in a single file. Each process body includes a virtual blank corresponding to said blank and a plurality of manufacturing features. A virtual machining of each manufacturing feature of the plurality of manufacturing features into the virtual blank is implemented. Each manufacturing feature exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. Manufacturing instructions are generated to create the actual part by machining the plurality of manufacturing features into the blank.

Abstract: A phaser for controlling the timing between a camshaft and a timing gear having a rotor with at least one vane and a stator with at least one recess the phaser allowing limited rotational movement of the rotor with respect to the stator. The vane divides the recess into first and second pockets, wherein the introduction of a fluid into the first pocket causes the rotor to move in a first rotational direction relative to the stator, and in that the introduction of a fluid in the second pocket causes the rotor to move in the opposite rotational direction. A control ring is provided for selectively opening and closing a fluid connection between the pockets to allow fluid to flow between the pockets using the pressure difference of the fluid in each of the pockets to transport the fluid from the one to the other pocket.

Abstract: A drive circuit (20a,20b) for an injector arrangement having at least one piezoelectric injector (12a,12b) is described.

Abstract: An injection nozzle (4) for an internal combustion engine, the injection nozzle (4) including a nozzle body (6) provided with a bore (8) defining a valve seating surface, and having a first nozzle outlet and a second nozzle outlet, a first delivery chamber upstream of said nozzle outlets, an outer valve member, moveable within the bore (8) and itself provided with an axial bore (8), wherein the outer valve member is engageable with an outer valve seat defined by the valve seating surface so as to control fuel flow from a first delivery chamber to at least the first nozzle outlet when the outer valve member lifts from its seat.

Abstract: A technique for manufacturing a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) structure includes a number of steps. Initially, a substrate is provided. Next, a plurality of trenches are etched into the substrate with a first etch. Then, a charging layer is formed at a bottom of each of the trenches to form undercut trenches. Finally, a second etch is provided into the undercut trenches. The charging layer causes the second etch to laterally etch foots in the substrate between the undercut trenches. The footers undercut the substrate to release a portion of the substrate for providing a movable structure between the undercut trenches and above the footers.

Abstract: There is provided a bracket for securing a side airbag for an automotive vehicle. The bracket fixes a path such that a connection strap connecting the side airbag to the bracket is secured to an A-pillar and removes any interference when the side airbag is assembled, to make it easy to assemble the side airbag in a manufacturing site. The bracket has a through aperture through which a bolt is fastened, and a mounting plate secures the side airbag to the vehicle. Protrusions are each formed on each of both side ends of the bracket, and a bracket clip is installed on the external surface of the bracket. The bracket clip comprises: a bending part formed in the middle of the bracket clip; a plurality of support plates formed at either side of the bending part; and through apertures formed on the support plates, corresponding to the through aperture of the bracket.

Abstract: A switch-based sensor apparatus is disposed between the bottom cushion and frame of a seat. The sensor apparatus includes upper and lower rigid and generally parallel force translation plates biased apart by a set of springs, and a switch assembly. The force translation plates are joined so as to pre-load the springs while permitting closing movement between the upper and lower force translation plates in response to occupant seat force that exceeds the pre-load force of the springs. The switch assembly includes a circuit board and elastomeric switch pad defining one or more switch elements that are actuated by a prescribed closing movement between the upper and lower force translation plates for electrically detecting the presence of a seat occupant.