Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrical female terminal which comprises a direct current path between a contact region defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced contact vanes formed as beams having opposite ends connected to terminal body portions and wherein each vane is twisted on its length to provide a radially inwardly directed contact on a beam that provides a torsional force component that increases normal forces for providing electrical contact without producing a commensurate increase in the force required to engage a pin within the contact region.

Abstract: A device for externally referenced ratiometric signal processing includes an external signal source and a control module. The external signal source has an external voltage reference supply for generating an external reference voltage and a gain & offset circuit for generating a signal voltage. The value of the signal voltage is varies so that the ratio of the signal voltage to the external reference voltage is proportional to the position of a transducer. The control module receives the signal voltage and the external voltage reference. The control module includes an analog to digital converter that converts the signal voltage to a digital signal. The digital signal is proportional to the ratio of the signal voltage to the external reference voltage. A microprocessor may then use the digital signal to infer the position of the transducer.

Abstract: An improved system and method for suppressing high side pressure transients in a motor vehicle air conditioning system due to engine speed transients during vehicle acceleration through the use of a throttling valve. The throttling valve may be mechanically or electrically activated, and is connected in the low pressure side of the air conditioning system to controllably restrict refrigerant flow in response to one or more parameters that detect or anticipate a high side transient pressure condition. The parameters may include the high side pressure itself, or engine parameters such as engine speed and vehicle speed. In a preferred embodiment, the throttling valve may be controlled to prevent evaporator icing in addition to suppressing high side pressure transients.

Abstract: A monotube damper and suspension spring assembly for a motor vehicle includes a tubular housing defining a chamber filled with damping fluid. A piston and piston rod reciprocate within the chamber. In order to compensate for volumetric changes of the chamber due to extension and retraction of the piston rod within the chamber, either the upper seal cover or lower bottom ring assembly is slidable within the housing. A preload is applied either to the housing or to the seal cover to thereby bias these elements to compensate for volumetric changes in the chamber.

Abstract: A method for producing thin film deposits of binary shape-memory alloys using an ion sputtering deposition process comprising using a hot pressed metal powder composition target.

Abstract: A Z-axis electrical interconnect includes a flexible printed circuit folded into a U-shape. The Z-axis electrical interconnect also includes a plurality of raised interconnection members arranged on the flexible printed circuit in a predetermined pattern and a circuit trace interconnecting the pair of raised interconnection members. The Z-axis electrical interconnect further includes a spring fixedly positioned on the flexible printed circuit to maintain the U-shape.

Abstract: A compression sense ignition system includes a sensing capacitor having a conductive sensing element disposed in proximity to the secondary winding leads of a first and a second ignition coil for developing a compression sense ignition signal. Epoxy potting material encapsulates the leads and the sensing element to reduce variation of the effective capacitance of the sensing capacitor. The compression sense ignition signal is processed to generate a cylinder identification signal which is used to determine absolute engine position. A fault mode detection and correction scheme is implemented wherein a controller responsive to the cylinder identification signal can determine correct absolute engine position notwithstanding the occurrence of one or more engine or ignition system faults which may impair the cylinder identification signal.

Abstract: An electrical connection between a high voltage terminal and a spark plug head. A case contains a high voltage terminal connected to a high voltage source. A connector portion extends from a bottom portion of the case, which in turn is secured to an insulator boot for attachment to a spark plug. The high voltage terminal has a nipple extending within the connector portion. A leaf spring member engages the nipple and is positively retained thereto. The head of the spark plug is inserted into the connector portion and engages the leaf spring member. The resilient characteristics of the leaf spring member provided by the interaction of the leaf spring member and the connector portion enable a compact yet positive connection system.

Abstract: A vehicle speed sensor includes a hollow generally cylindrical sensor housing with an open proximal end. Within the interior of the sensor housing is a sensing structure having a base and a coil. A shunt resistor and two terminals are insert molded into the base of the sensing structure, with the resistor disposed between the terminals. Two electrical leads, that are electrically connected to the coil, are wrapped around each end of the shunt resistor and the immediately adjacent terminal. The electrical lead not only electrically connects the terminals to the coil, but it also electrically connects the shunt resistor to the terminals.

Abstract: A power tailgate assembly for mounting to the aft end of a vehicle, particularly a pickup truck or SUV, is disclosed. The power tailgate assembly of the present invention is capable of pivotally moving a tailgate between open and closed positions and generally comprises a tailgate, a control arm, and a motor. The tailgate is typically a flat panel piece hingedly attached to the aft end of the vehicle, as is commonly known in the art, and includes an elongated channel formed on one of the side ends of the tailgate. The control aim is a rigid elongated member pivotally connected to the vehicle which acts as a mechanical link between the motor and the tailgate and includes a sliding component located at one end and gear teeth located at the other end. The sliding component is designed to fit within the elongated channel of the tailgate, thereby creating a sliding connection between the control arm and the tailgate.

Abstract: An actuator housing for a piezoelectric actuator arrangement including a piezoelectric stack, the housing comprising a first housing portion for connecting leads which are electrically connected to the piezoelectric stack and a second housing portion for the piezoelectric stack. The first and second housing portions are integrally moulded and are formed from a material which permits flexing of the first housing portion and the connecting leads.

Abstract: A sleeve and post terminals combination, wherein a single piece sleeve terminal which is slidingly interfaced with a smooth surfaced post terminal for high current circuit applications. The sleeve terminal is formed from sheet metal stock, having an inner sleeve component and an outer sleeve component. The inner sleeve component includes three circumferentially spaced electrical contracts. The post terminal is configured to be snugly received by the inner sleeve component, wherein the three contacts are radially forced against the post terminal. The post terminal preferably has a bullet nose and has a smooth surface. In a preferred environment of operation, the post terminal is connected with a BEDC, and the sleeve terminal is connected with a high current capacity wire.

Abstract: A control rod adapted to be bundled with a plurality of telecommunication cables to prevent the cables from being bent beyond a predetermined radius. The control rod includes a plurality of flexible control rod sections releasably connected together end-to-end by socket members and male members respectively provided on the ends of adjacent control rod sections. Each control rod section includes a plurality of beads connected together end-to-end by webs of material formed integrally with the adjacent beads.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the position and classification of an object and which may provide signals that control deployment of an active restraint device, for example. Using a pulsed laser light beam from a laser source that is spread and preferably diffused to avoid ocular damage, an interference pattern is returned to a sensing module through a spectral filter. There it is optionally combined with a reference beam from the laser source, modified to emulate coherence length effects, and incident upon a phase transmission holographic template that may be segmented into regions for example. Each region of the holographic template contains Fourier transform images of occupant types. Behind the holographic template is a detector array that is sensitive to the laser light. An interference pattern derived from the object is convoluted or cross-correlated with the template. When an match occurs, a bright spot appears on the detector array.

Abstract: A control system automatically determines the presence of an auxiliary control. The system includes a controlled device and a main control. The controlled device includes a main control input and an auxiliary control input. If an auxiliary control is present, a discernible non-zero default signal is supplied on the auxiliary control input of the controlled device, when no inputs of the auxiliary control are asserted. This advantageously allows for the verification of correct assembly (i.e., determination of the presence or non-presence of an auxiliary control) without technician intervention.

Abstract: A snap rail pivotally connected to a connector body for providing simultaneous actuation of button locks of connector pins discretely received within respective connector receptacles of the connector body. The connector body has a plurality of connector receptacles arranged side-by-side horizontally, each having a primary lock composed of a first engagement feature for interferingly engaging a second engagement feature of a respective connector pin seated therein. The connector pins have an abutment feature for secondarily restraining it from axial movement in the connector receptacle in response to a tip of a button lock being received into the respective connector receptacle. An upper side of the connector body is provided with a plurality of button ports, one button port respectively for each connector receptacle, wherein the respective button lock enters therethrough and the tip thereof interferingly engages the abutment feature.

Abstract: A cable finishing and testing machine incorporates an electrical resistance testing station in a single automated process. The cable finishing and testing machine utilizes a conveyor belt to keep a terminated cable in an outstretched orientation as a trailing terminal of the terminated cable laterally transfers from one processing station to the next. A free or leading terminal of the terminated cable, being in a known sliding orientation upon the belt, is easily located and electrically engaged by a pick-up clamp device. A first indexing station electrically engages the trailing terminal and the electrical resistance of the terminated cable is measured. If the terminated cable tests bad, the terminated cable is automatically transferred to a second indexing station where it is destroyed and scrapped.

Abstract: A method for preparing a non-thermal plasma reactor reactor characterized by multiple concentric exhaust channels and multiple concentric conductor channels having alternating polarity, each connected to its respective polarity via bus paths is provided. The method comprises forming a substrate having a curved, swept shape comprising a thick outer wall surrounding a plurality of channels separated by dielectric barriers, coating selected channels with a conductive material to form conductor channels capable of forming an electric field around uncoated exhaust channels. Masking is employed to effect selective coating of conductive material while preventing the conductive material from being applied to non-value added areas. A first mask is employed to apply conductive material forming conductor channels and bus paths. An additional mask may be employed to cover the conductor channels and bus paths with a sealant. The method minimizes manufacturing steps as compared to prior methods.

Abstract: A housing (10) is provided for a folded together inflatable airbag and a holder element (12) which can be locked at the housing, with the housing and the holder element bounding a reception region for a gas generator (14) in the locked state. In addition to an airbag and a gas generator, with the housing and the holder element, only two components are required in accordance with the invention, through which the manufacture may be simplified and manufacturing cost reductions may occur. For the assembly of the airbag module, the gas generator (14) is first arranged either at the housing (10) or at the holder element (12) and then the holder element is locked at the housing. The gas generator (14) is then already located in its final position in the airbag module. Through this the subsequent attachment of the folded together airbag in the housing is simplified since more than two parts which are to be connected together need never be brought into the correct relative position.

Abstract: An electric power assist apparatus for motor vehicle power steering including an electric motor and a speed reducer. The speed reducer includes a worm and a molded plastic worm gear on an output shaft of the speed reducer. The polymer from which the worm gear and the integral worm gear teeth thereon is molded has substantial structural rigidity after becoming cured. A plastic tooth ring is insert molded on the worm gear from a polymer having substantially greater resilience after becoming cured. The plastic tooth ring includes a plurality of resiliently flexible gear teeth having flanks which circumferentially overlap the flanks of the worm gear teeth. When the electric motor is off, the gear teeth on the worm mesh with the resiliently flexible gear teeth on the tooth ring with zero clearance to suppress noise attributable to rattling between the worm and resilient flexure of the flexible gear teeth on the tooth ring until the worm teeth engage the structurally more rigid worm gear teeth.