Abstract: An overmolded electronic package includes a circuit-carrying substrate and a connector housing or shroud interconnected via a suitable interconnection arrangement. Some embodiments may include a backplate affixed to the substrate and, in some cases, also to the connector housing or shroud. In some embodiments, the connector housing or shroud may be affixed to the substrate, and in any case the entire subassembly of components is overmolded with a rigidly formable molding compound to bond together all components of the subassembly and form the overmolded electronic package. The subassembly of components with the exception of the backplate may alternatively be overmolded with the molding compound, and a backplate thereafter affixed to the subassembly via a compliant bonding medium.

Abstract: An element body for a compressible stack of battery elements is provided. The element body defines a cavity for receiving the compressible stack of battery elements. The cavity has a height that is smaller than an uncompressed height of the compressible stack of battery elements. A cover compresses the compressible stack of battery elements to about the height of the cavity. The stack has a plurality of positive plates each having a positive lug, a plurality of non-conductive separators, and a plurality of negative plates each having a negative lug is provided. The positive plates, separators, and negative plates are configured into the compressible stack.

Abstract: An improved self-retaining pressure sensor assembly includes a pressure sensor having a housing, a depending ported stem terminated in an enlarged foot, and a flanged resilient seal disposed about the stem between the pressure sensor housing and foot, with the seal flange having one or more notches about its circumferential periphery to ease insertion and extraction of the assembly with respect to a circular opening formed in a pressure vessel. The notches reduce the effective area of the flange, proportionately decreasing the force (insertion force) needed to insert the assembly at the time of installation and the force (extraction force) needed to subsequently remove the assembly for repair or replacement. The number and size of the notches can be adjusted to provide acceptable insertion and extraction forces, without lubricant, while not significantly compromising the self-retention capability of the assembly.

Abstract: A threadless knock sensor (10, 50) includes a sleeve (12, 52) around which a transducer (24, 64) and a load washer (30, 70) are disposed. A frusto-conical disk spring (34, 78) is installed in compression around the sleeve (12, 52) above the transducer (24, 64). The sleeve (12, 52) includes threadless structure for holding the disk spring (34, 78) in compression.

Abstract: An improved generator has an improved rotor assembly that includes a rotor shaft defining an axis of rotation, a first pole member and a second pole member mounted on the rotor shaft and a deflector supported about the axis of rotation and having non-magnetic axial extensions. Pole claws of the first pole member and second pole member comprise north and south poles that are intermeshed and spaced apart from one another. The deflector is supported about either of the first end or second end of the shaft and corresponds to the member mounted on the same end of the shaft. The deflector is adapted to rotate with the corresponding member and includes a plurality of non-magnetic axial extensions having a base extending between adjacent pole claws of the corresponding member. The non-magnetic axial extensions provide a substantially uniform circumference creating more desirable airflow as the improved rotor assembly rotates about its axis.

Abstract: A method for unlocking a steering system that includes detecting and validating an identity input. After the identity input is validated a vehicle start command is detected and thereafter a steering assist mechanism is enabled. Once the steering assist mechanism is enabled, a force is applied to a steering column utilizing the steering assist mechanism. Following an application of the force by the steering assist mechanism, the steering system is unlocked by an unlocking mechanism. After unlocking of the steering system, a vehicle may then be started. The application of the force to the steering column may be alternating application of a clockwise and counterclockwise torque or may be a directional torque applied to the steering column based on a measured steering characteristic.

Abstract: An electric caliper having a housing mounted adjacent a rotatable disc. First and second force applying elements support a friction element between the housing and the rotatable disc. An electric actuator is mounted in the housing and is operatively connected to the first and second force applying elements. The electric actuator is operable to move the first and second force applying elements and the friction element toward, and away from, the disc and cause the friction element to frictionally contact the disc. A method is also provided for applying first and second forces against a friction element in response to an operation of an electric motor. The first and second forces are applied with respective magnitudes so as to maintain a substantially constant wear between the edges of the first friction element.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a valve member which is engageable with a valve seating to control fuel delivery from the injector, an actuator arrangement and an amplifier arrangement for transmitting movement of the actuator arrangement to the valve member. The amplifier arrangement comprises a piston member with which the actuator arrangement is cooperable to apply a retracting force to the piston member, and a control chamber for fluid. The amplifier arrangement preferably comprises a mechanical coupling arrangement for coupling movement of the piston member to the valve member upon application of an initial retracting force to the piston member.

Abstract: A tripot joint (10) includes a tripot housing (12) having three guide channels (24) receiving three corresponding trunnions (20) of a tripot spider (16). A ball assembly (28) is mounted on each of the trunnions (20) and received in the guide channels (24). The ball assembly includes an inner ball (30), and outer ball (40), and a complement of roller elements (52). The inner balls (30) are slidable axially on the roller elements (52) relative to the outer balls (40). Each ball assembly (28) includes at least one yieldable retainer (58) mounted on the outer ball (40) and projecting into the axial sliding path of the inner ball (30) in at least partial overlapping relation to the inner ball (30). The yieldable retainers secure the inner and outer balls (30, 40) against axial separation prior to joining the ball assemblies (28) with the trunnions (20) and guide channels (24).

Abstract: A digital torque sensor employing a torsion bar, a target wheel at each end thereof, and at least two magnetosensitive (galvanomagnetic) sensors, in the form of magnetosensitive arrays, one for each target wheel, respectively, to precisely determine the angle of twist of the torsion bar. The torque sensor also provides target wheel relative position, rotational speed and rotational direction, and is capable of self-compensation over wide temperature ranges and air gaps, including tilts, does not require tight assembly tolerances and has a theoretically infinite life due to its non-contact nature.

Abstract: A worm/worm gear assembly comprises a worm having teeth defined by at least one thread disposed thereon and a worm gear having teeth protruding from a surface thereof. At least one of the worm and the worm gear is fabricated from a resilient material. The teeth of the worm and the teeth of the worm gear are interengaged and in a compressive relationship with each other to maintain double flank contact therebetween. At low- or no-load conditions, the double flank contact is made at the opposing outer edges of each of the teeth. At moderate-load conditions, the contact extends from the opposing outer edges of each of the teeth toward the center of each of the teeth. A method for delashing a gear system comprises disposing the worm in mechanical communication with the worm gear and loading the worm gear to cause the worm gear to compressively engage the worm.

Abstract: A method for detecting a change in capacitance of a capacitive sensing element having a nominal capacitance value is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes coupling the sensing element to a first oscillator, the first oscillator generating a first frequency dependent upon the capacitance value of the sensing element. The first frequency is compared to a reference frequency generated by a second oscillator. The change in capacitance from the nominal capacitance value is detected if the first frequency differs from said reference frequency by a determined frequency value.

Abstract: A grounded jet pump assembly for a fuel system of a vehicle includes a fuel reservoir and a grounded fuel component disposed in the fuel reservoir. The grounded jet pump assembly also includes a jet pump having an outlet extending into the fuel reservoir and a grounding member at the outlet of the jet pump for contacting flow of fuel from the jet pump and contacting the grounded fuel component to complete an electrical circuit for grounding the jet pump.

Abstract: A steering column switch is provided with an electrical connecting device mounted in a housing that is affixed to the steering column jacket between the steering wheel and the steering column, said connecting device comprising a flexible, electrical conductor wound in the form of a spiral, which is inserted in an upper part of the housing and covered by a lid affixed to the steering wheel, wherein the conductor is coupled to the side of the steering wheel by means of a connecting unit and to a central printed circuit board that is connected to the electric system of the vehicle. A rotor of a steering angle sensor is assigned to the connecting device inside the housing, the stator on the housing side of said sensor contacting the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A knock sensor, comprising: a sleeve; a piezoelectric transducer disposed about the sleeve, the piezoelectric transducer being insulated from the sleeve and in electrical communication with a first terminal and a second terminal; wherein the piezoelectric transducer is preloaded by a combination seismic mass and nut configured to threadingly engage a portion of the sleeve and provide a mass to the knock sensor, the combination seismic mass and nut being integrally formed out of the same material.

Abstract: A telescopic tripot universal joint comprises an outer drive member having three longitudinal drive channels which include two opposing concave side surfaces having a parabolic profile, an inner drive member having three radial trunnions having a radially outward facing semi-spherical surface for tiltably mounting a drive ball assembly which has a bearing train disposed radially between an inner ball tiltably engaged to the trunnion and an outer ball having a tread face which directly opposes the concave side surfaces of the drive channels. The parabolic side surface has a radially outward portion having a smaller radius of curvature than a radial inward portion of the parabolic side surface. Moreover, the radius of the inward portion is equal to or greater than the maximum radius of the outer ball thereby assuring the tread face of the outer ball does not bind against the inward portion of the parabolic side surface on the unloaded side.

Abstract: A vehicle has a storage compartment latch that includes a moveable detent member and a release actuator for moving the detent member to a release position that is operated from inside the storage compartment. The release actuator has a handle that pulls a cable to move the detent member. The cable is attached to the detent member by a cable attachment that comprises a retention slot in an end portion of the detent member and an end length of the cable that has a ferrule attached to it. The end length of the cable is loaded into the retention slot in a transverse manner via a loading slot and transition slots in the end portion of the detent member.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly for a vehicle comprising at least one manifold having walls defining a chamber for retaining fluid. A mounting device is secured to the wall of the manifold. The mounting device includes a seat portion adapted to receive a fluid transmission line. The mounting device further includes an opening extending from the seat portion and aligned with an aperture in the manifold for providing a fluid passageway between the manifold and the fluid transmission line. In addition, the mounting device includes at least one indentation formed therein for capturing contaminates and preventing an intrusion of the contaminates into the seat portion.

Abstract: A fluid sealing system constructed according to the invention includes a fluid housing having at least the fluid ports disposed in laterally fixed, parallel relation to one another. Within each port there is disposed a fluid seal. At least two associated fluid conduits are provided having distal ends which are extendible into their associated fluid ports into sealing engagement with the fluid seals. A retaining plate supports the conduits in laterally spaced, parallel relationship with one another in such a way that the conduits can move relative to one another in the lateral direction to enable the conduits to be installed together as a bundled unit while enabling for adjustment in the lateral spacing of the conduits during installation to achieve matched alignment between the spacing of the conduits and the fixed spacing of the fluid ports.

Abstract: The present invention is a rotary magnetic position sensor having a pair of pole differentiated permanent magnets, wherein rotation of a magnetic field relative to a magnetosensitive device provides a varying output of the magnetosensitive device that varies sinusoidally with the angle of relative rotation. The magnetic pole differentiation is achieved by an external asymmetric geometrical feature of the magnets, as for example a wedge shape involving a pole face chamfer or a corner chamfer at a same polarity pole face.