Abstract: A hold down spring for yieldably securing a drum brake shoe to a drum brake backing plate includes a nail that extends through apertures in the backing plate and in the brake shoe. A coil spring circumscribes the nail and urges a spring retainer slidable on the nail away from the brake shoe. The nail extends through an elongated slot in the retainer, which includes a wider portion which accepts an expanded end of the nail and a narrower portion which is narrower than the expanded end but wide enough to permit the nail to freely slide along the slot. The slot is inclined toward the brake shoe, so that the action of the spring tends to force the nail within the slot toward a seating area at one end of the slot.

Abstract: A baffle for use in an accumulator-dehydrator used in an air conditioning system having at least a first and a second evaporator and a compressor interconnected by refrigerant lines containing refrigerant. The accumulator-dehydrator first and second inlets all connected to the evaporators and an outlet is connected to the compressor through the refrigerant lines. The baffle is mounted inside the accumulator-dehydrator at either the first or second inlet. The baffle has a housing with an opening to allow liquid refrigerant and oil discharged from one of the evaporators to enter the accumulator-dehydrator and prevent liquid refrigerant and oil from within the accumulator-dehydrator from re-entering the inlet.

Abstract: An improved magnetorheological fluid damper is provided which effectively provides a smooth transition, without a sharp break in the damper force/velocity curve, between very low damping forces near zero damper velocity to higher damping forces at higher piston velocities while maintaining desirable maximum force levels. The damper includes a piston assembly, including a magnet assembly and a flow gap extending through the piston assembly to permit fluid flow between the chambers. The force/velocity optimization feature includes a groove or passage open to the flow gap, positioned in series with a part of the flow gap in a magnetic circuit generated by the magnet assembly and dimnensioned/sized to permit fluid flowing through the passage to experience a magnetorheological effect less than a magnetorheological effect experienced by fluid flowing through the flow gap but not through the groove. Preferably, the passage is formed in an inner annular surface of a flux ring positioned around a piston core.

Abstract: Advantageously, the present invention is directed to a membrane horn switch assembly designed so that a steering wheel cover can expand or contract due to extremes in temperature without the unintentional closing of a circuit used to activate a remote horn. Also the membrane horn switch is designed so that a space between concentrators on either the steering wheel cover or a reaction plate is minimized thereby requiring less exerted pressure on the steering wheel cover to actuate the switch. Additionally, the steering wheel cover is designed so that a greater deflection in the cover results when using the same amount of pressure as was previously exerted on the cover.

Abstract: A resistor seal composition useful in resistor spark plugs, comprises glass, at least one metal oxide, at least one filler material, and a branched or straight chained zirconium carboxylate. The glass comprises a strontium borate glass and/or a borosilicate glass. Metal oxides include aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, and zirconium oxide. Filler materials include silicon dioxide and mullite.

Abstract: A damper for damping movement of a shaft, the damper including a housing having an inner surface defining a chamber and a rotor rotatably mounted in the chamber. The chamber is filled with magnetorheological fluid such that when the rotor is moved in the chamber the magnetorheological fluid damps the movement of the rotor. The rotor has an outer surface adjacent to and spaced apart from the inner surface. The damper further comprises shaft coupled to the rotor and an outer magnet adjacent the space between the outer surface and the inner surface for restricting the flow of the magnetorheological fluid in the space between the outer surface and the inner surface.

Abstract: A piston valve assembly for regulating the flow of fluid through a mono-tube fluid vehicle damper is provided. The assembly includes a piston rod and a piston end having opposing first and second surfaces secured to the piston rod by a connector. A first outer annular seat is spaced radially from the piston rod and extends from the first surface. At least one first fluid passageway connects a first opening between the piston rod and the first outer annular seat and the second surface for providing fluid communication therebetween. A first blow-off valve has a hollow cylindrical portion with a first flange extending transversely from an end thereof with the first flange adjacent to the first outer annular seat when the first blow-off valve is in a closed position. The piston rod and connector secure the blow-off valve to the piston end. The first blow-off valve is movable to an open position away from the first surface.

Abstract: A compliant rod guide and seal assembly for use in a damper includes an annular outer casing having a through hole and a support ring received in the outer casing. The support ring has an outer radius that is less than the inner radius of the outer casing such that a gap is formed between the support ring and the outer casing. The rod guide and seal assembly further includes a rod seal received in the support ring for receiving a rod therethrough, whereby the ring and seal can move laterally relative to the outer casing to accommodate lateral movement of the rod.

Abstract: A magnetic brake for a transmission lock includes a coil housing having a closed end, an open end, and a continuous side wall therebetween. A central post extends from the closed end of the housing and establishes an annular chamber between the central post and the side wall, and a coil surrounds the post. A frusto-conical brake plate seat circumscribes the open end of the housing. A brake plate has frusto-conical peripheral surface, and when the coil is energized, the surface engages the seat in an interference fit that is sufficiently tight to prevent the brake plate from being rotated relative to the housing. A spring washer is included to bias the brake plate from the locked position to the unlocked position.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly for a fuel injector, having a small package integral design, wherein the response times of the shape memory alloy element is decreased to less than about 1 millisecond by forced, convective heat transfer from the SMA element or elements. The forced, convective heat transfer is provided by the circulation of fluid across the SMA element by a metering orifice plate, which directs a fluid flow across the SMA element so as to maximize the area of contact between the fuel and the SMA element, regardless of whether the fuel injection valve is opened or closed. Use of forced convective heat transfer in accordance with the present invention allows greater power input levels than previously possible without resulting in an over-temperature condition of the SMA alloy, as well as constant response times.

Abstract: A roll control actuator (34) for installation between first and second axially aligned parts (14,16) of a torsion bar comprises a first cylindrical housing (36) connectable at one end (38) to the first part of the torsion bar and having a cylindrical wall (44) with an inner surface (68) and a second cylindrical housing (40) connectable at one end (42) to the second part of the torsion bar and having a cylindrical wall (46) with an inner surface (50,72). The cylindrical wall of the first housing is coaxial with, rotatable relative to, and axially fixed relative to, the cylindrical wall of the second housing. A shaft (62) positioned inside the first and second housings is capable of moving in the axial direction relative to the first and second housings. A first tripot joint (76) is mounted on the shaft and has rollers (80) positioned in helically extending grooves (70) formed in the inner surface of the cylindrical wall of the first housing.

Abstract: A drag link (26) for a steer-by-wire system (10) in a motor vehicle in which the steer-by-wire system has a separate electrical actuator (20,24) for each front wheel (12,14) of the motor vehicle, the drag link comprising a first rod (30) connectable with one of the electrical actuators; a second rod (28) connectable with the other of the electrical actuators; and a locking device (32) connecting the first and second rods; wherein the first and second rods are substantially axially aligned on a common axis (A) at the locking device; wherein the locking device includes a housing member (38) having an internal surface (44) defining a bore (36) with an axis aligned with the common axis, a piston member (34) positioned in the bore in sliding engagement with the internal surface, and lock means (46) having a de-actuated state in which the piston member can move in the axial direction relative to the housing member, and an actuated state in which the piston member and the housing member are locked together; wherein

Abstract: A power operating system opens and closes a vehicle liftgate that is pivotally attached to an aft end of a vehicle roof for pivotal movement between and open position and a closed position about a generally horizontal hinge axis. The power operating system has a gas spring strut counterbalance system and at least one drive unit that includes a reversible electric motor, a spool driven by the electric motor, a flexible web that has one end attached to the spool and an opposite end attached to the liftgate, and a pusher member that is driven by the electric motor between a retracted position and an extended position. The pusher member engages the liftgate and rotates the liftgate part way to the open position. The liftgate is closed by winding the flexible web onto the spool.

Abstract: An automotive heat exchanger module comprises a radiator and condenser with conventional side manifold tanks and upper and lower, channel shaped reinforcements. Neither heat exchanger has any brackets or other provision for attachment to the vehicle by separate fasteners. Instead, a center mounted fan module has rectangular front and rear openings the upper and lower edges of which comprise integral features within which the upper and lower core reinforcements are captured and held with a simple push fit.

Abstract: An improved magnetorheological fluid damper is provided which effectively provides a smooth transition, without a sharp break in the damper force/velocity curve, between very low damping forces near zero damper velocity to higher damping forces at higher piston velocities while maintaining desirable maximum force levels. The damper includes a piston assembly, including a magnet assembly and a flow gap extending through the piston assembly to permit fluid flow between the chambers. The force/velocity optimization feature includes a groove or passage open to the flow gap, positioned in series with a part of the flow gap in a magnetic circuit generated by the magnet assembly and dimensioned/sized to permit fluid flowing the passage to experience a magnetorheological effect less than a magnetorheological effect experienced by fluid flowing through the flow gap but not through the groove. Preferably, the passage is formed in an inner annular surface of a flux ring positioned around a piston core.

Abstract: Propulsion control system and method are provided for use in vehicles including a propulsion motor that is powered by a fuel cell. The fuel cell unit produces a compatible voltage for the propulsion motor, thereby removing the need for a dc/dc boost converter. A buck/boost converter and a standard 12 volt battery are used to start the fuel cell. An inverter receives dc electric voltage from the fuel cell and outputs ac electric voltage to the propulsion motor. A vehicle controller receives a voltage input from the fuel cell unit and outputs a current reference to a comparing device. The comparing device compares the current reference from the vehicle controller to an actual current of the fuel cell unit and then outputs a signal to a PI control which outputs a control signal to a fuel cell controller, whereby the power output of the fuel cell is controlled based on the actual current of the fuel cell.

Abstract: An improved magnetorheological fluid pumping system and method are provided which effectively dispense a predetermined amount of magnetorheological fluid for delivery to a MR device such as a damper assembly, for example, during manufacture. The fluid pumping system includes a pump having inlet and outlet valves, a reciprocally mounted piston, a stroke operator device for controlling the movement of the piston and an electronic controller for operating the stroke operator device and the inlet and outlet valves. Importantly, the inlet and outlet valves include an annular flow gap and a magnetic field generating assembly operable in an energized state to generate a magnetic field across the flow gap to cause magnetorheological fluid flowing through the gap to experience a magnetorheological effect sufficient to prevent flow through the gap and in a de-energized state to permit flow through the gap.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrical component heat dissipation and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for dissipating heat from a power control module. In one embodiment the invention is a power control module having a housing and an electrical connection. A thermally conductive material is placed between the power control module and a surface of an evaporator core with a first side of the thermally conductive material in contact with the power control module and a second side in contact with the surface of the evaporator core. The thermally conductive material conducts heat from the power control module to the surface of the evaporator core.

Abstract: In an angle-based crankshaft position sensing system, an electrical circuit is provided for also sensing the direction of rotation of the crankshaft. A slotted target wheel is coupled to the crankshaft and a single dual-element MR sensor is juxtaposed with the target wheel. The elements generate respective detection signals when a slot passes by the elements, with the position of the slot being indicated as being directly under the sensor at the point in time when the detection signals intersect each other. Also, square waves are generated for each detection signal, and when the magnitude of the second square wave is non-zero when the falling edge of the first square wave occurs, a clockwise rotation is indicated. On the other hand, if the magnitude of the second square wave is zero when the falling edge of the first square wave occurs, a counterclockwise rotation is indicated.

Abstract: A holder for the securing of an electrified sun visor at a vehicle has a mount for a securing arm of the sun visor and mounting means for mounting the holder at the vehicle. The holder serves for the connection of a vehicle-side wiring harness to a conductor.