Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the amount of flow of a flowing medium. The method and apparatus include a bridge circuit configured to develop a bridge voltage Vb such that the magnitude of the bridge voltage Vb is indicative of the amount of flow. The bridge circuit is configured without having an ambient temperature sensor, thus the bridge voltage is uncompensated with respect to ambient temperature. A thermistor circuit is configured to generate a temperature reference voltage indicative of ambient temperature. A conditioning circuit is configured to receive the uncompensated bridge voltage and the temperature reference voltage to process the same and generate a compensated bridge voltage with respect to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a forkbolt that moves between a latched position and an unlatch position and a detent that moves between a detent position where the detent holds the forkbolt in the latched position and a release position where the detent releases the forkbolt for movement to the unlatch position. The vehicle door latch includes a detent spring that biases the detent toward the detent position and a release mechanism that moves the detent against the bias of the detent spring to the release position to release the forkbolt. The vehicle door latch also includes an auxiliary detent spring that decelerates the movement of the detent to the detent position under the bias of the detent spring to reduce noise when the detent strikes the fork bolt. An auxiliary counter spring and an alternative auxiliary helper spring are shown.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system master cylinder that can handle pressure pulses within the brake fluid of a vehicle braking system without the destruction of components internal to a master cylinder. A vehicle braking system master cylinder that allows for component subassembly external to the master cylinder and is self-aligning when assembled. Finally, a vehicle braking system master cylinder that allows for variable travel of the primary piston and the secondary piston within the master cylinder and greater fluid flow in the vehicle braking system.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank and an internal port operatively supported by the cover. The cover assembly also includes a fill limiting vent valve attached to the internal port to vent the fuel tank through the cover. The internal port includes at least one convolute therein.

Abstract: A variable tether system adapted for use in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module having a first pair of tether elements each having a first end and a second end, the first ends each being secured to inner portions of the inflatable cushion and the second ends each being secured to inner portions of the inflatable cushion, the first ends each being secured to the inflatable cushion at positions remote from the second ends and the second ends being secured to the inflatable cushion at a location closer to an inflation opening of the inflatable cushion than the first ends, wherein each of the first pair of tether elements has a portion between each of the first and second ends which is not secured to the inflatable cushion; and a second pair of tether elements each having a first side and a second side, the first side of one of said second pair of tether elements being secured to a portion of one of the first pair of tether elements and the first side of the other one of the second pair of tether elements b

Abstract: A governor for use in an engine provided with an overspeed protection device arranged to trip in the event that engine speed exceeds a predetermined speed. The governor comprises a centrifugal weight mechanism comprising at least one weight coupled to an angularly adjustable metering valve member through a lever member, the metering valve member being operable to control the level of fuelling of the associated engine depending on engine speed. The governor further comprises a damping arrangement associated with the lever member which is arranged to damp oscillatory movement of the lever member, in use, and a prevention arrangement for preventing the overspeed protection device associated with the engine tripping upon engine start up.

Abstract: A method for implementing directional control of a motor vehicle is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes determining whether a failure of a primary steering system of the motor vehicle exists. If a failure of the primary steering system exists, then a yaw moment is created on the vehicle by causing a differential longitudinal force to be applied with respect to a first wheel on one side of the vehicle and a second wheel on an opposite side of the vehicle, thereby causing the vehicle to turn in a commanded direction.

Abstract: An overmolded electronic assembly having an electromagnetic interference shield, in the form of a thin metal film or foil, coupled to the top of or within an overmolded body. The shield effectively reduces the amount of electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) emissions from penetrating within the assembly to the circuit board without substantially increasing the cost of the unit. Thus, an electronic assembly having improved vibration, moisture, and EMI emission resistance is achieved as compared with traditional overmolded or metal assemblies. Further, because the shield can be formed on the electronic assembly in one continuous processing step, a substantial savings in time and cost for the manufacturing process is also realized.

Abstract: An electromagnetic microactuator having a ferromagnetic substrate, preferably steel. A plurality of layers are deposited upon the substrate including an insulating layer, a seed layer and first and second photoresist layers. The first photoresist layer provides a coil well which defines the deposition location of a coil metal. The second photoresist layer provides central and peripheral core wells which define the deposition locations of a central core and a peripheral core, respectively. The second photoresist layer intersticially fills and protectively covers the coil.

Abstract: An electronic module that includes a plurality of electrically conductive leads, an electrically conductive base plate, a first integrated circuit (IC) die, at least one material block and an electrically non-conductive overmold. The at least one material block functions to more closely match coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) differences between components of the electronic module.

Abstract: A slew rate control system for a circuit includes a temperature sensitive device generates a temperature signal. A temperature dependent current source generates a first current source signal. A slew rate controller activates in response to the temperature signal when the temperature exceeds a first threshold. The slew rate controller then generates a slew rate control signal by adjusting slew rate as a function of the temperature signal. The slew rate controller then activates the temperature dependent current source in response to the slew rate control signal.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes outer and inner races with mating part-spherical surfaces in which a single functional set of ball grooves are formed bearing a single torque-transmitting ball which is urged under an applied torque load toward one axial end of the joint. A retainer is carried by one of the two races or the shaft to which they are connected and acts on the ball to maintain the ball within the grooves during all angles of the joint.

Abstract: An improved method of testing for evaporative emission system leaks monitors vacuum decay in a closed system so that the effects of fuel tank expansion during the test interval are minimized. In a first embodiment pass/fail criteria are established in terms of the time required for the system pressure to decay by a calibrated amount for a predetermined leak size. A leak at least as large as the predetermined leak is detected if the measured time is shorter than a calibrated time. The effects of fuel tank expansion are minimized because the changes in fuel tank volume occur primarily due to the pressure differential across the tank, as opposed to the leak size, and the changes that occur during the test are essentially the same for any leak size under consideration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a heat sink laminate and a heat sink laminate formed by the method. In the method a particle mixture is formed from a metal, an alloy or mixtures thereof with a ceramic or mixture of ceramics. The mixture is kinetically sprayed onto a first side of a dielectric material to form a metal matrix composite layer. The second side of the dielectric material is thermally coupled to a heat sink baseplate, thereby forming the heat sink laminate.

Abstract: A terminal for a coaxial cable includes an electrically conductive core mounted in a dielectric member. The dielectric member along with the conductive core are positioned within an electrically conductive ground shield. The ground shield includes two identical split-barrel housing members which are joined together. When joined, the housing members form a cylindrical channel having surfaces which intimately contact an exposed length of cable outer conductor layer, creating a conductive connection between the outer conductor layer and the ground shield and structurally maintaining the outer conductor layer concentric to the dielectric sheath and inner conductor of the cable.

Abstract: A moldable elastomeric intumescent material comprises chlorinated polyethylene, plasticizers, phosphate based foaming agents, char forming materials, antioxidants, intumescent materials, flame retardant materials, and graphite and/or expandable graphite. A curing agent, and optionally a co-curing agent or an accelerator, may further be incorporated into the material to improve the rigidity of the material when it is exposed to fire. The composition also possesses enhanced intumescence and flame retardancy properties by the addition of graphite, and preferably expandable graphite, to the composition.

Abstract: A first vehicle wheel bearing has a monolithic shaft including two inner races and has a monolithic outer race assembly. A second bearing has a monolithic shaft including a shoulder and at least one inner race, wherein the shaft is positioned within the bore of a vehicle knuckle member with the shoulder abutting the knuckle. A third bearing has an end cap attached to an outer race assembly and covering the bearing-cavity outboard opening. A fourth bearing has an inboard seal covering the bearing-cavity inboard opening and extending outside the cavity to define a target ring for an ABS speed sensor. A fifth bearing has an ABS speed sensor positioned in the bearing cavity and attached to a shaft proximate the outboard opening and has a target ring positioned in the bearing cavity and attached to the outer race assembly.

Abstract: A filter insert for a terminal connector includes a rigid substrate and low-cost interference fit connections between the filter insert circuitry and the connector terminals. In a first embodiment, the insert includes a flexible circuit bonded to the rigid substrate, and the substrate is provided with over-sized openings that the terminals pass through without interference. A second embodiment is like the first, except that the filter circuit traces are formed directly on the rigid substrate, and the substrate material backing the terminal connection sites is removed to form the over-sized openings.

Abstract: A method of coating disc brake pads to obscure and seal minor surface imperfections, thereby reducing scrap rates. A preform of friction lining material is coated prior to molding and curing the preform and bonding the same to the backing plate to form the brake pad assembly. The preform is coated with an aqueous composition containing a solids mixture of 5-50 vol. % resin and 50-95 vol. % non-resin solids. Advantageously, the coating composition has a 5-30 vol. % solids mixture content, which solids mixture includes 15-25 vol. % resin, 0-10 vol. % powdered elastomer, 5-15 vol. % carbon black, 20-50 vol. % inorganic fillers, 5-15 vol. % organic fibers and 1-10 vol. % inorganic flake material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, a computer usable medium including a program, and a system for monitoring inflation in a plurality of vehicle tires. The method and computer usable medium include the steps of determining a direct pressure in at least one primary tire and determining a rolling radius for the primary tire and at least one secondary tire. A pressure difference is determined based on the determined rolling radius for the primary and secondary tires. The determined pressure difference is adjusted based on the determined direct pressure of the primary tire. The determined pressure difference is compared to at least one threshold value. The system includes means for achieving the method steps of the invention.