Abstract: The invention provides a damper assembly (10) comprising a housing (12) defining an inner chamber (22, 24) having a damping fluid disposed therein. A piston rod (14) is slidably retained by the housing (12), and at least partially extends into, the chamber (22, 24). A piston (18) is disposed at a first distal end (21) of the piston rod (14) and strokes inside the housing (12). The piston (18) defines a first chamber (22) and a second chamber (24) within the housing (12) and includes at least one aperture (26) for allowing damping fluid to flow between the first (22) and second (24) chambers. An actuator (30) is disposed within the piston (18) for varying the flow of damping fluid through the aperture (26) between the first (22) and second (24) chambers within the housing (12). The piston rod (14) includes an inner bore (16) that receives pressurized air from an external source for communicating pneumatic control signals to the actuator (30).

Abstract: Master cylinder pressure of either or both of the primary and secondary braking circuits is sensed by a pressure sensor or sensors mounted in a manifold which is installed directly on a brake pressure modulator housing when the modulator is manufactured. The pressure sensors receive power and are grounded through the electronic control unit which is an integral component of the modulator; accordingly, the sensors do not require external electrical connections other than those already provided on the modulator. Since the sensing manifold is installed and tested for leaks when the modulator is manufactured and before the modulator is shipped to the vehicle assembly plant, assembly operations in addition to those required in installation of the modulator in the vehicle braking system are not required.

Abstract: According to the present invention an in-line compounding/extrusion deposition and molding apparatus and method of using the same are provided. The apparatus comprises a single step compounding and extrusion apparatus which includes an extruder screw. The apparatus includes a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone. The first zone is used to melt an inlet material before the screw advances the melted inlet material into the second zone which comprises a preparation and cutting zone. Simultaneously, as the inlet material is melted in the first zone, the screw rotation feeds a reinforcing fiber bundle into the second zone where the reinforcing fiber bundle is prepared for melt impregnation and is sheared to a desired length. While in the second zone, mixing begins between the melted inlet material and the sheared reinforcing fiber bundle.

Abstract: A spark ignition assembly for use in a spark ignition system of an internal combustion engine, and an assembly method therefor. The spark ignition assembly includes a housing within which a spark plug, ignition coil and connector are housed. The spark plug has an insulator body, a first electrode and a ground electrode at a first end of the insulator body, and a terminal at an oppositely-disposed second end of the insulator body. The ignition coil is electrically connected to the terminal of the spark plug and to the connector, through which an electric voltage is applied to the ignition coil. The housing preferably contains a liquid injection molding (LIM) compound that surrounds the ignition coil and at least portions of the connector and spark plug.

Abstract: A Rzeppa-type ball spline constant velocity joint includes an outer race, an inner race, and an intermediate race disposed between the inner and outer races and supporting the inner race for angular pivotal movement. The intermediate race and outer race are formed with aligned axial ball channels. A plurality of rows of spline balls are supported by a ball spline cage between the intermediate race and the outer race and extend beyond the ends of the intermediate race to provide free rolling support of the intermediate race along the full limits of the axial stroke of the intermediate race within the outer race.

Abstract: A governor comprising a centrifugal weight mechanism coupled to an angularly adjustable metering valve member and an adjuster for adjusting the axial position of the meeting valve member to permit droop control.

Abstract: A method of improving the life expectancy of surface mount components is electronic assemblies wherein a distance between the printed circuit board and the surface mount component is held to a predetermined distance defined as the stand-off height. The relationship between the stand-off height and the life expectancy of the component is directly proportional. A larger stand-off height translates into a longer life expectancy. The stand-off height is limited only by manufacturing constraints, such as process limitations and cost concerns. The stand-off height is set to a predetermined dimension by way of a spacer positioned between the surface mount component and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A steering column differential angle position sensor includes an upper target wheel and a lower target wheel. Each target wheel forms a plurality of similarly shaped slots that are equally spaced radially around the target wheels. Two receiver coils and a excitation coil are coaxially aligned with the target wheels. A hollow housing surrounds the target wheels and the coils. The excitation coil generates an alternating current magnetic field around itself, and this alternating current magnetic field generates eddy current in the target wheels. The receiver coils receive an alternating current signal that is a combination of the alternating current magnetic field generated by the excitation coil and the eddy current. The receiver coils sense changes in the alternating current signal due to differential slot alignment of the target wheels, and hence, the torque on a steering column that is mechanically coupled to the sensor.

Abstract: A rocker assembly has a first arm for following a first or opening camshaft lobe, a second arm for following a second or closing camshaft lobe, and a pivot axis of the rocker arm therebetween. A captive roller follower on the first arm follows the first lobe, and a slider on the second arm follows the second lobe. An eccentric pivot pin for the rocker assembly is rotatable to change the location of the pivot axis of the rocker assembly with respect to the captive roller and the slider, to adjustably set mechanical lash among these components after installation of the rocker arm assembly into a variable valve mechanism of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A spring suitable for use in interposers such as those used to electrically interconnect electronic devices such as integrated circuits and printed wiring boards. The spring includes a central portion, a peripheral portion and a plurality of bent legs extending between the central portion and the peripheral portion. The bent legs optionally comprise alternating layers of copper and nickel. At least ode protuberance is preferably formed upon either side of the generally planar spring so as to facilitate electrical contact with desired electrical contacts of the devices to be interconnected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for acoustically controlling an automotive or aircraft vehicle's automatic climate control system. The acoustic HVAC control system determines an average air temperature using an ultrasonic transducer. The transducer transmits and receives an ultrasonic pulse along a pre-selected path within the vehicle's interior and concurrently measures the interval time between sending and receiving the pulse. An average air temperature is calculated based on the interval time. The determined average air temperature is evaluated against a pre-selected setpoint temperature and determines whether the vehicle's automatic climate control system controller controls an air blower fan speed, discharge temperature, and air delivery mode to the cabin to adjust the vehicle's interior air temperature near an occupant to a desired temperature.

Abstract: A process for forming a roller bearing comprising the steps of providing a cylindrical slug that comprises at least 0.7 weight percent carbon and up to 1.6 weight percent of at least one alloying element. The slug has lateral and side surfaces. A centered indentation is formed in each side surface. A circular chamfer surface is formed at the intersection of each side and each lateral surface, thereby producing an upsetting slug. The upsetting slug is cold formed, thereby deepening the centered indentations and forming a blank. The blank has a web separating the deepened indentations and end surfaces and chamfer surfaces that are substantially at net shape for the roller bearing. The web is removed from the blank, thereby forming a pierced blank having a through hole with an inner surface. The inner and lateral surfaces of the pierced blank are finished to the specified inner and outer diameters for the roller bearing.

Abstract: Variable deployment performance by controlling the quantity and fluid flow path of the inflator gas into or out of an air bag module according to the present invention. The air bag module includes a vent opening and a cushion retainer diffuser including a plurality of diffuser openings which permits fluid communication between an annular cavity and an air bag cushion. The vent opening provides a fluid path for the inflator gas to flow from the annular cavity to outside of the air bag module. For full level deployment, the vent opening is closed and therefore the inflator gas is not permitted to flow away from the air bag module but instead flows into the air bag cushion. For low level deployment, the volume of inflator gas which flows into the air bag cushion is controlled by selecting the ratio between the cross-sectional area of the diffuser openings and the cross-sectional area of the vent opening.

Abstract: A roller finger follower includes an elongate body having a first side member and a second side member. A bracket having first and second sides is associated with the body. The first side of the bracket is disposed adjacent an inside surface of the first side member of the body. The second side of the bracket is disposed adjacent an inside surface of the second side member of the body. A roller is disposed between the first and second sides of the bracket. The roller defines a shaft orifice therethrough. An elongate hollow shaft extends through the shaft orifice and couples the roller to the bracket. A locking pin assembly is disposed at least partially within the hollow shaft. The locking pin assembly has a first position wherein the shaft is decoupled from the body and a second position wherein the shaft is coupled to the body. The locking pin assembly is switchable between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A novel impeller for a regenerative turbine fuel pump improves the efficiency of the pump and yet still retains a geometry that allows it to be manufactured by conventional injection molding techniques at a relatively low cost. The impeller comprises a hub, an outer ring and a plurality of innovative V-shaped vanes. The hub defines an aperture into which the shaft of the pump is securable to allow the hub to rotate about a center axis. The outer ring is concentric to the hub. The vanes extend from an outer surface of the hub to an inner surface of the outer ring. Each vane comprises an entrance portion that extends from the outer surface of the hub and an exit portion that extends from the entrance portion to the inner surface of the outer ring. Each vane has a V-shape of a prespecified angle centered relative to a plane normal to the center axis.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, including: selection apparatus to select desired characteristics of individual gage elements of the vehicle instrument cluster; illumination apparatus to illuminate the individual gage elements in accordance with selections made by the selection apparatus; and control apparatus operatively connected to the selection apparatus and to the illumination apparatus to receive the selections made by the selection apparatus and to furnish instructions to the illumination apparatus.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method of controlling a motor in an electric power steering system. The method includes obtaining a motor control signal having an initial duty cycle and linearizing the initial duty cycle to obtain a secondary duty cycle. An offset is added to the secondary duty cycle to obtain an adjusted duty cycle. The motor is controlled using the adjusted duty cycle. An alternative embodiment is a torque linearization device for linearizing torque produced by a motor in response to a motor control signal having an initial duty cycle. The torque linearization device includes a comparator for receiving the initial duty cycle and comparing the initial duty cycle to a threshold. A linearization table converts the initial duty cycle to a linearized duty cycle. A selector receives the initial duty cycle and the linearized duty cycle and selects one of the initial duty cycle and the linearized duty cycle as a secondary duty cycle in response to the comparing.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for controllably directing pressurized engine oil to deactivation valve lifters to activate or deactivate the associated engine intake and exhaust valves. Passages to the lifters are controllably opened or closed by a solenoid control valve responsive to signals from a computerized engine control system. Preferably, the hydraulic control system includes a top plate having a first pattern of channels and bores formed in its underside, and a bottom plate having a second such pattern formed in its upper surface. The top and bottom plates are joined to form a hydraulic distribution manifold mounted on the engine. In a presently preferred embodiment, a gasket plate having bores and patterns of resilient gasketing material is provided between the top and bottom plates to simplify fabrication of the top and bottom plates.

Abstract: A leakage arresting system comprising a novel gas arrestor for installation on an interrupted pintle shaft in a pintle-type valve, such as an exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine, for preventing leakage of gas and moisture along the pintle shaft into the actuator, to prevent corrosion and failure of the actuator. The system comprises two elements: a pintle shaft which is interrupted outside the actuator, and a positive vapor block in the form of a cup-shaped arrestor disposed across the pintle interruption. The invention is applicable to both unbalanced and force-balanced valves.

Abstract: A seal arrangement having a bore within which a component is to be received, in use, the seal arrangement comprising a seal member formed from a resilient material, the seal member having an inner periphery and an outer periphery and being provided with a fracture to define two ends of the seal member. When in a relaxed condition, the inner periphery of the seal member has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the component such that, when the component is received through the bore of the seal arrangement, the two ends of the seal member are caused to part, the resilience of the seal member causing the inner periphery of the seal member to form a substantially fluid tight seal with the component. The seal arrangement further comprises a support member upon which the seal member is mounted, the support member being of generally annular form and having inner and outer peripheries, wherein the inner periphery of the support member is of generally circular form except for a region of irregularity.