Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the vehicle roof and connected to the liftgate for opening and closing the liftgate. Each drive unit includes a bracket that is secured to the vehicle body for supporting several parts including a reversible electric motor, a gear unit and a track. The electric motor drives a segmented drive linkage inside the track via a gear reduction unit and a sprocket. The segmented drive linkage includes an elongated arcuate link arm that slides in an arcuate track portion of the track and a power roller chain that is stored in a storage track portion when the liftgate is closed. The outboard end of the link arm is pivotally connected to the liftgate to open and close the liftgate as the link arm is extended and retracted by the power roller chain.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly for a vehicle is provided. A backing plate supports opposing brake shoes with a drum disposed there about. Each of the brake shoes has a portion in spaced relation from one another. A wheel cylinder is supported by the backing plate and is arranged between the portions of the brake shoes for forcing the portions away from one another to engage the brake shoes with the drum in a brake position. A strut interconnects the brake shoes proximate to the portions. A lever has a first end, which extends to a second end, supported from one of the portions by a pivotal connection. The lever is rotatable about the pivotal connection between a normal operating position in which the strut is spaced from the lever and a parking brake position in which the lever engages the strut to maintain the portions in the brake position. An electric parking brake actuator is supported by the backing plate and includes a linkage that coacts with the second end of the parking brake lever.

Abstract: A vehicle climate control system having a separate control for first and second separate areas of the vehicle. The climate control system includes a three-fluid heat exchanger having a first path with a first inlet and first outlet, and a second path with a second inlet and second outlet. The first path communicates refrigerant between the first inlet and first outlet and the second path communicates coolant between the second inlet and second outlet without the refrigerant and the coolant being mixed. A primary refrigerant loop is interconnected by a refrigerant line with the refrigerant line being connected to the inlet and outlet of the first path. A secondary loop is connected to the inlet and the outlet of the second path such that the coolant flows through the three-fluid heat exchanger to selectively cool or heat the second area of the vehicle by heat transfer within the three-fluid heat exchanger.

Abstract: System and method for controlling a synchronous machine are provided. The method allows for calculating a stator voltage index. The method further allows for relating the magnitude of the stator voltage index against a threshold voltage value. An offset signal is generated based on the results of the relating step. A respective state of operation of the machine is determined. The offset signal is processed based on the respective state of the machine.

Abstract: Multiple annular electrical connectors are each positioned floatably through a respective aperture of a tray. A shield plate is secured over the tray by bolts which thread into a cylinder head. The shield plate has holes centered above the apertures for access to spark plugs disposed below. Each annular electrical connector is centered about an annular pressure sensing device which encompasses the spark plug. The inboard side of the electrical connector is in electrical contact with the outboard side of the sensing device beneath the tray. Insulated wires extend between the tray and shield plate from each electrical connector and connect to a common panel mounted electrical connector at one end of the tray.

Abstract: A fuel pump module assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle includes a reservoir adapted to be disposed in the fuel tank having a top defining an overflow fuel level of the reservoir. The fuel pump module assembly also includes a conduit conducting return fuel from an engine of the vehicle to the reservoir and a one-piece jet pump disposed in the reservoir and having an inlet operatively connected to the conduit. The jet pump has a nozzle to discharge fuel into the reservoir.

Abstract: A latch handle assembly for permitting power or manual unlatching of a door latch. The assembly includes a latch handle for manual unlatching of the vehicle door. A mechanical linkage is attached to the latch handle and is adapted to interconnect with the door latch. The latch handle assembly also includes a switch disposed on the latch handle. The switch interconnects with a power-assisted unlatching mechanism that allows the switch to unlatch the door. Finally, there is a handle lock disposed adjacent the latch handle for disabling the latch handle in the normal condition when power is on and the power-assisted unlatching function is operable. The handle lock is operative to move from a locked position preventing the latch handle from moving, and an unlocked position allowing movement of the latch handle.

Abstract: A fuel tank cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank having a fuel reservoir disposed therein, a return guide rod extending from the fuel reservoir toward the cover, and a valve disposed between the cover and the return guide rod to allow one-way flow of fuel from the cover to the fuel reservoir.

Abstract: A fuel injector for use in an injector arrangement including a fuel pump having a pump chamber and a spill valve arrangement including a spill valve member which is engageable with a valve seating to control communication between the pump chamber and a low pressure drain. The fuel injector further comprises a valve needle which is engageable with a valve needle seating, a control chamber arranged such that the fuel pressure therein urges the valve needle towards its seating, a control valve arrangement, including a control valve member, for controlling the fuel pressure within the chamber, and an actuator arrangement for controlling movement of the spill valve member and the control valve member. The actuator arrangement comprises a double pole actuator having a first armature which is movable with the spill valve member and a single pole actuator having a second armature which is movable with the control valve member.

Abstract: A combined drive circuit for a split brake system of a motor vehicle has a switched reluctance motor and a brush motor. The switched reluctance motor has multiple phase windings. The combined drive circuit includes a DC power source with first and second supply buses. A SR motor driver supplies current to the switched reluctance motor. The SR motor driver has a first capacitor coupled to the phase windings for storing energy from the phase windings and a second capacitor coupled to the first capacitor and a third supply bus, thereby developing a third supply bus voltage across the second capacitor. A brush motor driver is coupled to the first and second capacitor. The SR motor driver is adapted to supply current to the brush motor. The brush motor driver has a first switching element and a second switching element coupled to the brush motor.

Abstract: A joint for a shaft assembly includes a housing fitted with a boot seal that encircles and seals about a stub end of a shaft extending into the housing. The boot seal has a collar-like neck portion whose inner surface is formed with an annular wiper rib. Prior to assembly with the shaft, a shipping plus is disposed in the neck of the seal to guard against the escape of grease and the ingress of contaminants. The wiper rib of the seal is operative to engage and wipe grease from the inserted shank of the shipping plug upon its removal to prevent the grease from accumulating in the neck region and impairing the performance of the seal.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the sensitivity of certain radar sensors that works by placing target objects within a sensor's field of coverage at strategic locations and adjusting the sensor's radar parameters as a function of the sensor target location and performance characteristics of the sensor, including bin resolution and spatial constraints. The proposed methods are ideally suited for a wide variety of uses, including for use on production lines. The methods are equally appropriate for use in other areas, including sensor maintenance and recalibration and in the development and validation of sensors.

Abstract: A self-retaining transmission sensor includes a sensor housing having a retaining ring extending radially from the sensor housing. When the self-retaining transmission sensor is inserted in a bore in a transmission housing having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the retaining ring, the outer edge of the retaining ring engages the inner wall of the bore and holds the self-retaining transmission sensor firmly in place. Thus, the need for a mounting bracket, a mounting bolt, or a similar device is eliminated.

Abstract: An integrated fuel delivery module for a fuel injected engine includes a fuel rail having a fuel distribution channel and a plurality of spaced-apart fuel injector sockets connected with the fuel distribution channel. A high-pressure fuel pump has a high-pressure chamber connected internally to the fuel distribution channel without external high-pressure fuel lines.

Abstract: Described is a lithium ion battery 10 comprising: A housing having a front side 13 and a backside 15 and an anode cell terminal 60 and a cathode cell 44 terminal separated therefrom; Positioned within the housing a plurality of bipolar lithium ion cells 40 having an lithium ion permeable plastic separator 32 there between; the cell electrodes being comprised of a thin film plastic substrate 34 and being electrically connected appropriately to the anode and the cathode cell terminals; wherein the cells are longitudinally placed in the housing parallel to the sides of the housing; and wherein the housing is enclosed by the cathode cell terminal at one end and the anode cell terminal at the opposite end of the cell sleeve; and the enclosed housing is capable of receiving an electrolyte placed between the cells and the electrolyte is capable of carrying ions between the anode and the cathode. Also described is a method of manufacturing the lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: A poison resistant lean NOx catalyst comprising: a protective coating of a first catalyst support material including a metal-zirconium phosphate component, coated on a second NOx occluding catalyst material.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the collisions between elements of an automotive rack and pinion steering apparatus and an end-of-travel stop is presented. The system comprises a sensor for sensing a set of dynamic variables of the rack and pinion steering apparatus and operative thereby to generate as output therefrom a first set of signals indicative of the set of dynamic variables; a controller responsive to the first set of signals and operative thereby to provide as output therefrom a modified torque assist command; and a motor drive assembly drive assembly responsive to the modified torque assist command and operative thereby to provide modified torque assistance to the rack and pinion steering apparatus. In another embodiment, the dynamic data is used to calculate a torque limit to be imposed upon the torque assist command whenever the steering system is close to end-of-stop. The two embodiments may also be superimposed.

Abstract: A casing assembly for a blower motor of a heating, venting, and air conditioning system of a motor vehicle includes a fan chamber for housing a blower fan and a motor chamber for housing the blower motor. An air conduit molded integrally with the assembly channels air from the fan chamber to the motor chamber for cooling the motor. A panel connects the fan chamber to the motor chamber. The panel includes a groove circumscribing the motor chamber for pierceable separating the motor chamber from the assembly to service the motor and the fan. The assembly further includes a band for reconnecting the separated motor chamber to the assembly after servicing the motor.

Abstract: A motor vehicle mounted system is responsive to sensed or estimated vehicle lateral acceleration and vehicle speed for detecting and signaling when the vehicle is operating on a racetrack. The system determines whether the vehicle is in a high lateral acceleration state or a low lateral acceleration state and when the vehicle is maintaining a minimum speed. The system increments a count when the vehicle is in the high lateral acceleration state if the vehicle has maintained the minimum speed for a first time since the last increment or decrement of the count and decrements the count when the vehicle is in the low lateral acceleration state if the vehicle has maintained the minimum speed for a second time since the last increment or decrement of the count. The system detects and signals operation on a racetrack while the count exceeds a predetermined threshold count and otherwise detects and signals no operation on a racetrack.

Abstract: A glow plug controller test device including an electrical connector which can be electrically connected to the vehicle wiring harness connector of the glow plug controller. The test device also includes a pair of leads which are connected to the vehicle power supply and ground, respectively. The test device further includes a light emitting diode which flashes as an indication that the glow plug controller is operational.