Abstract: A supplemental restraint assembly for a vehicle having a side impact air bag with an interwoven self-tensioning tether/lace. A side air bag is secured to the vehicle roof rail between the front and rear pillars. A tether/lace extends between and is secured to the front and rear pillars. The tether/lace is secured to the air bag and traverses a plurality of spaced-apart guides formed at discrete points along the air bag. When the side impact air bag is inflated the distance between the guides increases thereby taking up slack in the tether/lace thereby inducing tension therein. The air bag is thus held firmly in place when inflated and allows the tether/lace to be stored up through the pillars and along the roof rail in a non-deployed stored state.

Abstract: This brake booster comprises an enclosure (40), a diaphragm (42) dividing the enclosure into a front chamber (46) connected to a source of vacuum and a rear chamber (48), a piston (44) that can move axially in the enclosure and on which the diaphragm is mounted, a plunger (50) mounted so that it can move axially in the piston between a forward unstable braking position and a retreated stable position of rest, and a valve (54) intended to collaborate with seats (56, 58) on the piston and on the plunger. The or each seat (56) on the piston (44) is formed on the edge of a passage (60, 62) allowing the said chambers (46, 48) to communicate.

Abstract: A brake by wire system provides the capability of both travel and force sensors on a brake apply input member such as a brake pedal and also provides redundancy in sensors by providing the signal from a sensor responsive to travel or position of the brake pedal to a first controller and the signal from a sensor responsive to force applied to the brake pedal to a second controller. The first and second controllers are connected by a bi-directional communication link whereby each controller may communicate its received one of the sensor signals to the other controller. In at least one of the controllers, linearized versions of the signals are combined for the generation of first and second brake apply command signals for communication to brake apply units. If either controller does not receive one of the sensor signals from the other, it nevertheless generates its brake apply command signal on the basis of the sensor signal provided directly to it from the sensor.

Abstract: In a vehicle having an engine and an ignition system, a sensing circuit is provided for sensing the ignition voltage and providing this sensed signal to various operating modules of the vehicle. The sensing circuit includes a diode/resistor filter that provides a filtered voltage signal at a first output node. A compensation circuit is provided that compensates voltage errors introduced by the filter circuit. The compensation circuit includes a second diode that has substantially identical electrical performance characteristics as the first diode, and that is preferably mounted on a common substrate. A voltage signal at a second output node between the second diode and the filter circuit is indicative of the voltage drop across the second diode, which is further representative of the voltage error introduced by the filter circuit. In one embodiment, the operating module receiving the ignition voltage signal is configured to receive voltage signals at the first and second output nodes.

Abstract: A vehicle speed sensor includes a hollow generally cylindrical sensor housing (102) with an open proximal end (112). Within the interior of the sensor housing (102) is a sensing structure and coupled to the open proximal end (112) of the sensor housing (102) is a connector housing (134). The connector housing (134) forms an engagement groove (146) and the sensor housing forms an engagement rib (148). To establish a desired sensor length, the sensor housing (102) is slid relative to the connector housing (134). The engagement rib (148) is then heat staked to the groove (146).

Abstract: A two stage exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve delivers a wide range of EGR flow while operating with reduced valve actuating forces allowing use of a reduced cost actuator such as a solenoid with smaller sized coil and armature. An attached valve body mounts concentric dual pintle valves including a larger first valve, which engages a valve seat in the valve body to control exhaust gas flow between inlet and outlet openings and a smaller second valve positioned inside the first valve and engaging a second valve seat in the head of the first valve. The second valve controls a low flow passage inside the first valve. The solenoid armature engages only the smaller second valve during a first stage of its stroke so that the smaller valve is opened first and flow control is maintained in a low flow range. Exhaust and intake differential pressures acting on the second valve are overcome by a smaller armature force because of the smaller area of the second valve.

Abstract: A brake caliper. A motor rotates a ball screw which translates a ball nut and a first drive pin. Translation of the first drive pin rotates a first brake lever attached to an eccentric cam shaft having a cam portion. Rotation of the cam portion on the eccentric cam shaft translates a piston shaft assembly, a piston head attached to the piston shaft assembly, and a first brake pad attached to the piston head. The first brake lever is attachable to, and rotatable by, a manually-actuated parking brake cable. This allows operation of the parking brake to stop the vehicle in an emergency should the motor fail to operate from whatever cause including loss of power.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magneto-rheological controlled damping assembly that eliminates contact between the piston and the damping cylinder and that maintains a constant volume for the magneto-rheological fluid within the damping cylinder, therefore substantially reducing abrasion and wear to the damping apparatus components and increasing the performance and the life of the damping apparatus.

Abstract: Onboard refueling vapor recovery canister for a gasoline-powered vehicle including an unequally-divided carbon bed, a vent solenoid, and a high-capacity, self-cleaning vent filter. Integral configuration of the canister reduces its size and also increases the allowable carbon volume over prior art canisters, permitting use of a lower grade carbon at a significant cost savings while meeting all working capacity requirements. The filter box has an air inlet port and contains a high-efficiency filter wrapped around a feature enclosing a solenoid for opening and closing the air flow through the canister. Wrapping the filter increases the available surface area by more than 50% over that of a flat filter. Outward air flow during refueling partially backflushes the filter, thereby extending the useful life of the filter media.

Abstract: A two-stage parallel spring solenoid valve (100) includes a coil housing (102) with a plunger tube (108) disposed therein. Disposed within the distal end (112) of the plunger tube (108) is a valve body (128) that includes a valve seat (138). A plunger assembly (160) is disposed within the plunger tube (108) and includes a plunger (162) and a plunger rod (184). An external spring (170) and an internal spring (190) are installed in parallel with each other within the plunger assembly (160). The valve (100) is movable from a closed configuration wherein the plunger rod (184) is seated against the valve seat (138) to block fluid flow through the valve (100), to an intermediate configuration wherein the plunger (162) further compresses the external spring (170) and the internal spring (190) and the plunger rod (184) remains seated against the valve seat (138), and to an open configuration, wherein the plunger rod (184) is distanced from the valve seat (138) to permit fluid flow through the valve (100).

Abstract: A method and system for diagnostics and ascertaining status of an electric machine coupled to a polyphase bus. The method and system include: detecting a rotational position with a position encoder coupled to the electric machine; controlling an inverter having an input coupled to a direct current bus and an output coupled to the polyphase bus, where the inverter is responsive to commands from a controller coupled to the inverter and to the position encoder. The method and system further include measuring a current from the direct current bus; capturing a torque current; calculating a current error; establishing a bound limit for the torque current; comparing the current error to the bound limit. The method and system also include: determining whether a fault exists by evaluating if the bound limit has been exceeded; incrementing a fault counter if a fault exists; decrementing a fault counter if no fault exists; and indicating a failure if the fault counter exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A cable drive assembly in a closed-loop cable closure system for opening and closing a sliding door on a vehicle includes helical front and rear cable grooves supported on the vehicle frame for rotation about a helix axis. A front cable extends from the front cable groove to the sliding door in a position to be wound into and unwound from the front cable groove in response to front cable groove rotation about the helix axis. A rear cable extends from the rear cable groove to the sliding door in a position to be wound into and unwound from the rear cable groove in response to rear cable groove rotation about the helix axis. A single cable drive spool is supported on the vehicle frame for rotation about the helix axis and includes both the front and the rear cable grooves. A motor rotates the spool in one direction about the helix axis to open the sliding door and in an opposite direction about the helix axis to close the sliding door.

Abstract: A NOx adsorber catalyst system for treatment of gases in an exhaust discharge passage of an internal combustion engine comprising: a first adsorber catalyst supporting effective amounts of at least one noble metal component and a Ba component; and, a second adsorber catalyst supporting effective amounts of at least one noble metal catalyst, a Ba component, and a K component.

Abstract: A weld chamber has an air intake and an exhaust or evacuating ductwork for evacuating gases and other particles from the welding chamber. The evacuating ductwork is connected to a vacuum source to remove gases and by products from the weld chamber during welding. A throttle plate is provided in the evacuating ductwork adjacent the weld chamber to adjust or regulate the air velocity evacuating from the weld chamber. The evacuating duct then leads to a sealed water filtering tank. All of the exhausted/evacuated gases and by products are led beneath the water line and bubble through the water before emerging from the sealed water. The soot and iron particles are immediately cooled and trapped in the water tank. Moreover, particles become wet and are less likely to become airborne thus leading to a substantial portion of the particles being trapped in the sealed water tank. Thee remaining gases are then evacuated to the vacuum source and further filtered by a mechanical filtration device.

Abstract: A piezoelectrically actuable fuel injector comprising an accumulator volume within which a piezoelectric stack is arranged, the accumulator volume being arranged to receive fuel from a source of pressurized fuel, in use. The piezoelectric stack carrying an end member which engages a surface associated with a piston member so as to apply a retracting force to the piston member upon a reduction in the axial length of the piezoelectric stack, the piston member being operable to control fuel pressure within a control chamber. A volume is defined between the end member and the surface associated with the piston member. The volume is provided with a vent arrangement to permit fuel within the volume to flow to a low pressure drain.

Abstract: A fuel injector is provided for use in an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector includes an injector body having an axially extending fuel passage for fuel flow, an injection valve movable in the passage for controlling fuel flow therein, a valve seat adjustably positioned into an outlet end of the fuel passage, and a valve seat retainer for applying an axial load onto the valve seat and securely attaching the valve seat into the fuel passage of the injector body.

Abstract: A retainer system for use in a tripot type universal joint is provided. The universal joint includes a spider having a plurality of rollers thereon. The rollers travel in drive channels within a housing of the joint. The retainer system comprises a retaining ring, having generally planar small diameter segments and generally planar and axially offset large diameter segments. The small diameter and large diameter segments are connected by blocking segments. The retainer system also comprises an annular groove having a retaining ring movement portion. The retaining ring movement portion allows for movement of the small diameter segments and blocking segments between an uncompressed state and a compressed state. In the compressed state, the spider can be inserted into the housing, because the blocking segments move out of the drive channels.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering column having thereon an electric power assist apparatus including a tubular mast jacket, a structural housing, a socket in an end wall of the housing consisting of an annular seat and a cylindrical guide wall, and an annular plate attached to the mast jacket. The plate plugs into the socket and bears flush against the seat with the edge of the plate fitted in the cylindrical guide wall of the socket so that the centerlines of the mast jacket and the housing are precisely aligned. A C-shaped retainer in an annular groove in the cylindrical guide wall overlaps the plate to prevent dislodgment of the mast jacket from the housing. The retainer has a beveled shoulder which bears on an edge of the groove and converts circumferential expansion of the retainer into longitudinal thrust on the plate to eliminate lash between the plate and the housing.

Abstract: An accumulator-dehydrator for use in an air conditioning system. The accumulator-dehydrator has a hollow delivery tube for delivering vaporized refrigerant and entrained oil to the compressor of the air conditioning system. The delivery tube has an expansion chamber and a separator to eliminate noise within the system.

Abstract: An improved method of producing a fluid filled elastomeric bladder for occupant weight sensing involves annealing the bladder material prior to its installation in a vehicle seat so as to quickly relieve initial stress due to stretching of the bladder material which occurs during fluid injection. In a preferred implementation, the initial stress is relieved by immersing the fluid-filled bladders in heated water for a time period on the order of 60 seconds or more. Alternatively, the bladder material may be heated with steam or radiant heat, by injecting heated fluid into the bladder, or by injecting heated air into an empty bladder before fluid injection. In each case the initial stress is quickly relieved, substantially eliminating a potential source of error in the sensed weight.