Abstract: In a ventilation system of a motor vehicle, a film valve can selectively open and close an air path opening defined by a housing with a rib or projection that encircles such opening. The rib can define a point contact between the film valve and the housing when viewed in cross-section. The rib geometry can include substantially straight edges in cross-section and/or can include arcuate edges. Different geometry can define the rib at different cross-sections. The point contact defined between the rib and the film valve substantially reduces noise generated when the film valve moves relative to the rib, especially when the film valve has been subjected to a harsh environment.

Abstract: A contact structure for a sliding switch includes a conductive stationary contact disposed on a base and a conductive movable contact for electrically contacting the stationary contact. The movable contact is movable along a path between a non-contact position and a make-contact position with respect to the stationary contact, and at least one of the contacts has a protruding portion that provides an electrical interface for discharge of arcing as the movable contact breaks from the stationary contact. As a result, the invention prevents or substantially reduces degradation in switch performance which might otherwise be caused by debris accumulation associated with arcing.

Abstract: A cable carrier chain having improved strength and flexibility (including improved bilateral flexibility) useful in automotive and other applications contains pivotally joined chain links, each link containing two side plates, two undercut pins, two round apertures which are slightly oversized relative to the pins, a hinged cover lid and a bottom support plate. In the chain, the undercut pins of one chain link are mated with the slightly oversized apertures of an adjacent link, giving the chain increased strength and flexibility. The cover lid preferably includes a hinge member having a relatively thin horizontal strap hinge disposed between two relatively thick vertical hinge straps. The bottom surface of the support plate preferably contains ribs which reduce noise and wear.

Abstract: An electric power steering system, comprising: a steering wheel in operable communication with a mechanical linkage; a steering shaft in operable communication with the mechanical linkage, and in operable communication with at least one road wheel; a first transmission in operable communication with the steering shaft; a unidirectional electric motor in operable communication with the first transmission; wherein the electric power steering system is configured such that when the steering wheel is turned in a first direction, the motor's power is transmitted in the first direction to the steering shaft, and when the steering wheel is turned in a second direction, the motor's power is transmitted in the second direction to the steering shaft.

Abstract: A gear system for coupling a steering wheel to a steering wheel shaft, comprising: a first gear rotatable about a first axis and connected to the steering wheel, wherein rotation of the steering wheel causes rotation of the first gear; a second gear engaged to the first gear and configured to rotate about another axis when the steering wheel is rotated, wherein the another axis is displaced from the first axis; and a housing disposed about the gear system, wherein the housing remains in a stationary position during rotation of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A brake caliper with an integral parking brake. The brake caliper includes a housing having a bore with tapered walls, a piston having a rod mounted within the bore, a wedge element positioned between the rod and the tapered walls and displaceable to a locking position and a release position, a resilient element positioned to displace the wedge element to the release position, and a locking element for selectively displacing the wedge element to the locking position. When the locking element is momentarily actuated while a hydraulic pressure is present, the wedge element is urged to the locking position, thereby holding the brake caliper in a braking position when the hydraulic pressure is removed and then the locking element is de-actuated. A hydraulic pressure sufficient to cause the resilient element to urge the wedge element to the release position is effective to release the caliper.

Abstract: A vehicle door handle assembly is mounted on a support panel for operating a door latch. The door handle assembly has a D-shaped door handle that includes an integral pivot pin. A lock button has a part cylindrical socket that receives the pivot pin to mount the lock button pivotally on the door handle. The pivot pin is shaped to provide a cross section that has a minimum thickness to facilitate lateral insertion of the pivot pin into the part cylindrical socket via a loading slot. The door handle also includes integral trunnions for mounting the door handle pivotally on the support panel.

Abstract: A valve deactivation lifter including means for restricting relative rotation between the pin housing and the lifter body. When used in a V-style or slant engine, a prior art deactivation lifter can be subject to oil drainage during engine shutdown if the oil supply port in the pin housing rests in the “down” position. In an improved lifter, relative rotation between the pin housing and the lifter body is limited and the pin housing is oriented such that the oil supply port is never on the underside of the pin housing. Rotation may be limited by any of several means, for example, a ball disposed in a dimple in the pin housing and extending into a longitudinal groove in the lifter body, and a flat on the pin housing and locking means installed in the lifter body to engage the flat and thus prevent rotation of the pin housing.

Abstract: A low side overvoltage protection circuit configuration comprising: a first switching device in operable communication with and disposed between a ground and a protected ground; a load in operable communication with and disposed between a voltage source and the protected ground; a control circuit configured to control the first switching device in operable communication with a transient protected voltage source. The first switching device is configured to provide electrical circuit isolation of the protected ground from the ground. Also, a method for providing a low side circuit overvoltage protection comprising: detecting an overvoltage transient on a voltage source; isolating a protected ground from a circuit ground with a first switching device; and controlling the first switching device with a control circuit in operable communication with transient protected voltage source. The control circuit is responsive to an overvoltage transient of the voltage source.

Abstract: A control system for operating a device. The control system comprises a plurality of command elements generating command signals and a control element having a plurality of control modes. Each control mode includes a transfer function output effective to operate the device in a predetermined manner and is selectable in accordance with the status of at least one of the command signals. The transfer function output of a nonselected control mode is made to substantially track the transfer function output of a selected control mode such that the transfer function output of the nonselected control mode is substantially similar in magnitude to the transfer function output of the selected mode when the control element selects the nonselected mode. A method employs the system.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell system, the electronic control unit which measures and controls temperatures, pressures, valve sequencing, valve positioning, blower power, electric output, and flows of air and fuel gas, is disposed in a “cool zone” within a structural housing. Electric leads from the control unit to the individual system components therefore do not pass through the housing. The few leads from the control unit required for connection of the fuel cell system to a load are gathered into a single electrical connector mounted through a wall of the structural enclosure.

Abstract: A check valve for a fuel pump of a vehicle includes a valve housing adapted to be disposed in an outlet member of the fuel pump. The check valve also includes a valve guide disposed within the valve housing and a valve seat disposed within the valve housing and spaced from the valve guide. The check valve further includes a valve member having an aerodynamic shape disposed within the valve housing and having a closed position to engage the valve seat to prevent fuel from flowing through the outlet member and an open position to cooperate with the valve guide to allow fuel to flow through the outlet member.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor (30) for use with a automotive vehicle (200) having a power sliding door (202) has a flexible housing (44). The housing (44) has a first set of electrodes (12) and a second set of electrodes (14) interdigitally spaced from each other and a ground electrode (15) made from a flexible metallic braid.

Abstract: A piston assembly for a magneto-rheological fluid damper is provided that exhibits good sealing properties at elevated temperatures. The piston assembly comprises a piston rod having an axial bore therethrough, a piston core coupled to a distal end of the piston rod for movement thererwith, an electrical terminal located on the piston core, a conductor, a sealing member and a support member. The conductor is coupled to the terminal to form an electrical connection and passes through the bore in the piston rod. The sealing member is adjacent to the distal end of the piston rod for preventing the penetration of fluid into the bore. The support member is located and sized to block an opening into the bore to prevent the sealing member from being forced through the opening when the piston assembly is subjected to pressure.

Abstract: A method for detecting a change in permeability of a magnetostrictive object due to a change in strain. At least one first coil and at least one second coil are obtained and positioned such that magnetic flux lines induced by an electric current in the first coil(s) pass through at least one portion of the object in a direction substantially parallel to the strain direction, such that magnetic flux lines induced by an electric current in the second coil(s) pass through at least one portion of the object in a direction substantially parallel to the strain direction, and such that any electromagnetic interference sensed by the first coil(s) is sensed oppositely by the second coil(s). The total inductance of the positioned first and second coil(s) is measured over time. A change in permeability of the object is detected from a change in the measured total inductance over time.

Abstract: A technique for discharging an energy storage device coupled to a power bus provides a first discharge path for the energy storage device, when the power bus is connected to a battery, and a second discharge path for the energy storage device, when the power bus is disconnected from the battery. The first discharge path has a higher impedance value than the second discharge path.

Abstract: The invention relates to granulated gas charges and their use. Said granulated gas charges, whose combustion fumes are nitrogen-free and low in carbon monoxide, contain a) between 5 and 50% by weight binders; b) between 0 and 90% by weight oxidizing agents; and/or c) between 0 and 75% of an organic, notably nitrogen-free, fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diesel engine comprising a device for controlling the flow of injected fuel with at least one fuel injector supplying a combustion chamber, controlled by a processor provided with means for controlling a series of operations of the injector of differing durations, means for measuring a minimal activation time (?TMA+?T) between the issuing of a command and the beginning of an injection and means for subsequently controlling the injector as a function of the measured minimal activation time. According to the invention, the engine is characterized in comprising means for determining the heat output (dQ) brought about by the mixture of air and fuel injected into the chamber and to measure the minimum activation time using said determinations.

Abstract: An antenna unit is disclosed. The antenna unit includes a wire antenna element and a patch antenna element. The wire antenna element creates a null at low-elevation angles to provide directional antenna patterns in azimuth planes. Nulls of the terrestrial signal pattern are directed toward the passenger compartment of a vehicle to create a larger spatial region for reception of terrestrial signals.

Abstract: A method and program product are associated with a brake mechanism. The brake mechanism includes a brake operable to restrict movement of a vehicle and an actuator coupled to the brake. The actuator is operable to selectively apply and release the brake. The mechanism further includes a controller coupled to the actuator. A method, implemented in the controller and program code, initializes the brake mechanism and calibrates and/or performs diagnostics on the brake mechanism.