Abstract: A brake vacuum booster assembly is provided that includes a power piston with a two-piece member movable relative thereto for opening a valve when a brake pedal is applied. The two-piece member includes a cylinder and a cylinder cap. The cylinder has a passageway vented to atmosphere for providing air to air chamber in the booster. An electric actuator is retained within a cavity in the cylinder for coacting with the valve to more quickly open the valve during a rapid brake pedal apply. A cylinder cap is connected to an end of the cylinder for retaining the electric actuator within the cavity. The cylinder cap has an opening aligned with the passageway. A retaining mechanism is arranged between the cylinder and the cylinder cap for preventing axial and rotational movement of the cylinder cap relative to the cylinder to securely retain the electric actuator within the cavity and maintain alignment of the opening and passageway.

Abstract: A solder bumping method and structure for fine solder bump pitches. The method makes use of a semiconductor device having an input/output pad whose surface is provided with a solderable metal layer that serves as the UBM of the solder bump. A sacrificial layer is formed on the surface of the device to surround the metal layer. A plating seed layer is then formed on the metal layer and the surrounding surface of the sacrificial layer, after which a mask is formed on the seed layer and a via is defined in the mask to expose portions of the seed layer overlying the metal layer and the sacrificial layer. A solder material is deposited on the seed layer exposed within the via. The mask is then removed, followed by removal of a portion of the seed layer that is not covered by the solder material, leaving intact that portion of the seed layer beneath the solder material.

Abstract: A braking assembly for providing a braking force to a wheel brake of a vehicle based upon receipt of an electrical brake signal is provided. The brake assembly comprises an actuator including a motor that applies and releases a piston within an actuator body. The actuator is fluidly connected to a wheel brake whereby the wheel brake can be applied and released. A solenoid valve is interposed between the actuator and the wheel brake on a primary fluid path for opening and closing the fluid connection. A step piston is placed within a secondary fluid path between the actuator and the wheel brake and operates to momentarily increase fluid displacement applied to the wheel brake when the solenoid valve closed.

Abstract: An ABS brake system employs two axially slidable brake discs and four brake pads that are biased to have floating light random contact therebetween in the off brake position. The ABS controller operates the brake pads with about one half of the usual brake pressure and about double the number of the usual braking and release cycles. The floating axially slidable brake discs and four brake pads have reduced residual torque drag during the brake release cycle and have reduced hystersis. The result is operation at a higher frequency and with less amplitude, than the usual sliding caliper and fixed brake system, and a resolution of a modulating scale for cycling that is usually associated with a much lower coefficient of friction surface than is actually present.

Abstract: A voltage mode control method and apparatus for extending speed range operation from a sinusoidally excited permanent magnet motor is described. The method includes a determination of a maximum value from a first set of parameters with each parameter having a known maximum value as well as a reading of a second set of parameters. A computation of a first derived angle using the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters is then performed. A computation of amplitude of phase voltage and a second derived angle using the first derived angle follows. A resultant output comprising a set of derived command voltages for controlling a power circuit is created whereby the power circuit can achieve required torque levels with lower currents for power switches.

Abstract: This present invention provides 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 slide ring mechanism disposed about an inflator and adjacent at least a portion of a cushion retainer. The slide ring mechanism comprises an annular ring having openings formed therein, wherein during rotation of the slide mechanism, the openings of the annular ring align with openings formed in the cushion retainer to define a fluid flow path away from an air bag cushion for venting some of the inflator gas. Preferably, the annular ring is rotated by attaching a pair of tethers to the annular ring and to a rear surface of the air bag cushion.

Abstract: An actuator (10) for a fuel injector having a dual coil solenoid. The solenoid coils (14, 16) are connected in parallel and have windings that are wound in opposite directions. The actuator (10) of the present invention defines three air gap surfaces (22, 24, 26), one of which (24) is located in the space shared between the two coils (14, 16). The shared air gap surface (24) has a high flux density due to the additive nature of the magnetic forces between the oppositely wound coils (4, 16). The dual-coil solenoid of the actuator (10) of the present invention creates a very high force and a low inductive load which results in fast injector response times.

Abstract: A controller for controlling an actuator in response to an input signal. The controller includes a first control block and a second control block. The first control block receives the input signal, detects an operating condition of the input signal, and responsively produces an operating condition signal. The operating condition signal has a first value if the operating condition of the input signal is in a small signal mode and a second value if the operating condition of the input signal is in a saturated mode. The second control block has a small signal portion and a saturation portion. The second control block is adapted to receive the input signal and the operating condition signal and responsively deliver to the actuator a control signal.

Abstract: A vehicle has a power operated liftgate and at least one power unit comprising a fixed linear guide channel and a follower that moves in the guide channel. The follower is universally connected to a rod having at one end and the opposite end of the rod is universally connected to the vehicle lift gate. A flexible drive loop which is attached to the follower wraps part way around two pulleys at opposite ends of the guide channel. The flexible drive loop is driven by a bi-directional drive unit that includes a reversible electric motor, an electromagnetic clutch and a drive wheel that engages the flexible drive loop. The flexible drive loop may be a drive cable, a drive tape, or a drive chain or a combination of cable, tape and/or chain.

Abstract: Described is a battery package (10) comprising: A housing (12) in which a plurality of batteries (18) are assembled, wherein each battery has a front side and a back side (22); aligned to fit into receptacles (16, 30) therefor, a blade (20), located on the front and back sides (22) of the batteries; and a printed circuit board (14, 24) at the front and back side of the batteries, each board having receptacles (16,30) for receiving the edge of the blades (20) of the batteries and for electrically connecting the batteries within the housing and providing mechanical support for the batteries.

Abstract: A bobbin has a simple and precise means for locating and securing terminals onto the bobbin for use in a fuel injector. The bobbin has open terminal posts and flange holding notches for locating the terminals on the bobbin, and a flange locking notch for securing the terminals within the framework of the bobbin after connecting a wire and rotating.

Abstract: High voltage feedthrough connectors provide a means for isolating high voltage through a reactor housing while providing thermal expansion tolerance along with ease of assembly. The connectors provide an insulating body having a bore extending axially through said insulating body for housing a center conductor, a threaded shell assembly for engaging the insulating body and securing the insulating body to a NTP reactor housing, and a gas tight seal to prevent gas leaks to the center conductor. The center conductor includes a first end for contacting a high voltage source and a second end for contacting a high voltage electrode of a NTP reactor. In one embodiment, a fixed center conductor is provided. Preferably, a dome shaped tip may be provided on the bottom terminal connector for improved contact with the non-thermal plasma reactor high voltage electrode. Optionally, a compression spring is attached to the bottom terminal connector end of the fixed center conductor.

Abstract: A steer by wire control system having a steering wheel unit responsive to a steering wheel torque command and a road wheel unit responsive to a road wheel unit command is disclosed. A master control unit may be employed to perform processing as necessary. A method for steering a vehicle including receiving a tie-rod force signal, a road wheel position signal, a vehicle speed signal, a steering wheel position signal, and a feedback torque signal. Combining these signals to generate the steering wheel torque command signal and road wheel command signal to provide the operator with tactile feedback, while road wheel command signals are sent to road wheel units to provide steering direction. An Ackerman correction unit may also used to correct the left and right road wheel positions to track about a common center.

Abstract: A module (10) for a motor vehicle comprising a suspension strut (12) including an outer tubular housing (16) for a hydraulic damper (24) and a spring seat (18); and a steering knuckle (14); wherein the housing, the spring seat and the steering knuckle are formed as an integral one-piece assembly. Reduces assembly complexity, time and cost.

Abstract: A compensation circuit provides a compensation current to a node of an integrated circuit that experiences increased reverse-bias leakage current between a n-type leaking epitaxial region and a p-type substrate with increased temperature. The compensation circuit includes a p-type substrate, a n-type compensator epitaxial region, an contact region, a center p-type region and a plurality of peripheral p-type regions. The peripheral p-type regions function as either a node collector or a reference collector. The compensation current is substantially determined by the ratio of the total peripheral surface area facing the center p-type region associated with the node collector and the total peripheral surface area facing the center p-type region associated with the reference collector and is also determined by the total surface area of the n-type compensator epitaxial region.

Abstract: An improved method of operation for a vehicle air conditioning system controls an inlet air blower motor and an air inlet mixing device to reduce compressor and blower motor power consumption and achieve performance improvements associated with cabin air recirculation while maintaining a predefined level of outside air flow and a predetermined humidity level in the inlet air mixture of the system. The overall air flow is determined by the speed of the blower motor and the speed of the vehicle, and the speed of the blower motor and the position of the inlet air mixing device are adjusted as a function of both the vehicle speed and the selected blower motor speed so that the predefined level of outside air flow is preserved regardless of the vehicle speed and the selected blower motor speed.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension control derives demand force commands from relative velocities of the suspension dampers at the corners of the vehicle and applies the demand force commands only when a force corresponding to the demand force command can be effectively exerted by the damper. The control is also responsive to a sensed vehicle handling event to derive a body control enhancement damping commands for selected suspension dampers and apply the body control enhancement damping commands without regard for the direction of demand force for the suspension dampers. Each body control enhancement damping command is derived from one or more measured vehicle dynamic variables associated with the sensed vehicle handling event and modified in magnitude in response to the direction and/or magnitude of the sensed relative velocity of damper to which the body control enhancement damping command is to be applied.

Abstract: An HVAC housing includes a novel structure to aid the mixing of hot and cold air downstream of the evaporator and heater core. A series of space, parallel, C shaped channels running transverse to the cold air stream and generally in line with the hot air stream act to smoothly constrict the cold air stream in the gaps between the outer surfaces of the channels, while hot air concurrently runs through the inside of the channels. As the cold air passes over the edges of the channel walls, hot air is drawn out and thoroughly mixed.

Abstract: An SRE fan has a hub, a carrier extending outwardly of the hub and a plurality of vanes on a first side of the carrier. The carrier has a second side opposite the first side that is configured to contact an engagement surface of a rotor segment. Channels are provided on the second side of the carrier. Rotor coil leads are surrounded by respective compressible insulated sleeves and are each routed through respective channels. The geometry of the channels is adapted to cooperate with the engagement surface of the rotor to enclose the channels and establish a uniform channel depth. The depth is selected to be less than an uncompressed diameter of the sleeves so as to provide a measure of compression when the fan contacts the rotor, holding the leads in place.

Abstract: A brake pedal emulator that produces a pedal characteristic not unlike conventional vacuum or hydraulic brake systems. The system includes an emulator housing, a damper positioned within the emulator housing, a shaft that is slidably received by the emulator housing, and a sequential spring system within the emulator housing in operable contact with the shaft. When a brake pedal force is manually applied, the sequential spring system compresses thereby providing a spring force, which in conjunction with the dynamic dampening force produced by the damper generates the desirable reaction force.