Abstract: A power system including a cable drive for adjusting a steering column of an automotive vehicle in response to rotation of a jack screw. A cable transmits torque from a motor-driven output shaft to the jack screw. The cable has terminal portions received in sockets in the output shaft and in the jack screw. The terminal portions and the sockets are square in cross section. An end part of each terminal portion is twisted to cause corners of the terminal portion to interfere with comers of the socket into which it extends to provide substantially a lash-free connection between the terminal portions of the cable and the sockets.

Abstract: A force generating apparatus provides a force to a moving element upon receipt of an electrical force signal. The force generating apparatus includes a force applying element coupled to the moving element for applying the force to the moving element and an actuator coupled to the force applying element for actuation thereof in response to receiving the electrical force signal. The force generating apparatus further includes a controller for receiving a desired force actuation signal, determining a parameter of the desired force actuation signal, selecting a set of gains based on the parameter, applying the set of gains to a linear control function, determining the electrical force signal as a function of the non-linear control function, and sending the electrical force signal to the actuator.

Abstract: A force generating apparatus (10) for providing a force to a moving element based upon receipt of an electrical force signal includes a force applying element (33) coupled to the moving element for applying the force to the moving element and an actuator (21) coupled to the force applying element (33) for actuation thereof in response to receiving the electrical force signal. The force generating apparatus (10) further includes a controller (18) for determining when the force applying element (33) is in an apply mode, determining the elapsed time until reversion to a normal mode, determining when the elapsed time is greater than a predefined minimum, modifying the value of the electrical force signal sent to the actuator (21), and modifying a stored control parameter.

Abstract: A system for steering the wheels of a vehicle. The system includes a steering gear provided with a steering rack reciprocable in a power cylinder. A steering shaft has a pinion meshing with the steering rack. A hydraulic fluid system assists the reciprocation of the steering rack. The hydraulic fluid system includes a power piston reciprocable in the power cylinder. A control valve directs hydraulic fluid from a pump to the power cylinder at one side or the other of the piston, depending on the direction of rotation of the steering shaft. A lock valve is operable when closed to lock the rack against reciprocation to prevent steering of the wheels by preventing fluid flow in the hydraulic fluid system. The lock valve is controlled by a solenoid-operated electronic controller.

Abstract: A method for making a sensor is disclosed. The method comprises: disposing an electrolyte between a first side of sensing electrode and a first side of reference electrode, disposing a first side of a protective layer adjacent to said a second side of said sensing electrode, applying a mixture of a metal oxide, a fugitive material, and a solvent to a second side of the protective layer, and calcining the applied mixture to form said a protective coating on the second side of the protective layer.

Abstract: A method and device for verifying whether a cavity (16) enclosing a micromachined sensing structure (14) between a pair of wafers (10, 12) is hermetically sealed by detecting the presence of moisture within the cavity (16). The method entails forming a bare, unpassivated PN junction diode (20) in a semiconductor substrate, preferably a device wafer (10) with the sensing structure (14). The device wafer (10) is then bonded to a capping wafer (12) to enclose the PN junction diode (20) and micromachine (14) within a cavity (16) defined by and between the wafers (10, 12). The reverse diode characteristics of the PN junction diode (20) are then determined by causing a reverse current to flow through the diode (20). For this purpose, either a known voltage is applied across the diode (20) and the reverse leakage current measured, or a known reverse current is forced across the diode (20) and the voltage measured.

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 and a fuel filter disposed within and attached directly to the cover to filter fuel from the fuel tank to an engine of the vehicle.

Abstract: An ignition coil assembly includes a core formed of magnetically-permeable material extending along a main axis, a primary winding disposed about the core, a secondary winding disposed on a secondary winding spool wherein at least one of the secondary winding leads is connected to a high-voltage connector terminal portion of the ignition coil assembly configured for connection to a remotely disposed spark plug, a case formed of electrical insulating material, and a magnetically-permeable shield disposed outwardly of the case. The secondary winding is progressively wound on the secondary winding spool, thereby eliminating failure modes associated with the segment-wound secondary windings, and, eliminating the need for pole pieces in the magnetic circuit, thereby reducing components, cost, weight, and size of the ignition coil assembly.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting or eliminating case erosion in a pencil ignition coil having an internal primary winding and an external secondary winding and shield. Three alternative means for resisting damage due to the partial discharge phenomenon arising from a high electric field in such coil configurations are provided: (i) applying an ozone resistant coating on the case; (ii) applying a coating on the case for eliminating partial discharge under the shield; and (iii) applying a polyimide tape covering to the case for resisting partial discharge under the shield.

Abstract: A method of measuring elevational misalignment of an automotive radar sensor in a factory or service setting utilizes two or more targets that can be discriminated by the radar system. The targets are positioned at different elevational angles with respect to the desired elevation axis, and the degree of elevational misalignment is determined according to the ratio or difference in return signal amplitude for the two targets. Discrimination of the targets may be ensured by differences in range, azimuth angle or Doppler. Since the amplitude difference is a measure of misalignment, the measurement may be used to verify proper alignment or to indicate the amount of adjustment required to achieve proper alignment.

Abstract: A vehicle roll control system including a torsion bar having a longitudinal axis and first and second end portions disposed along the longitudinal axis. A first arm includes a passive end fixed to the first end of the torsion bar and extending transverse to the longitudinal axis. A second arm is provided having an active end rotatably coupled to the second end portion of the torsion bar and also extending transverse to the longitudinal axis. The opposite ends of the first and second arms are each configured to couple to the vehicle chassis. An actuator including a cam locking element is provided for selectively locking and unlocking the active end of the second arm to thereby selectively prevent and allow rotation of the active arm relative to the torsion bar.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensing assembly fixedly secured to a vehicle. The seat belt tension sensing assembly has a housing and a slider slidably received within the housing, the slider being capable of movement between a first position and a second position within the housing, the second position corresponding to a tension in the seat belt consummate with a child safety seat being secured by the seat belt, the slider having a first opening for a portion of the seat belt to pass therethrough. A first magnet and a second magnet are secured in a second opening in the slider, the first and second magnet being in a facing spaced relationship. A Hall effect device is fixedly secured to the housing and protrudes into the second opening of the slider. The Hall effect device is closer to the first magnet when the slider is in the first position and the Hall effect device is closer to the second magnet when the slider is in the second position.

Abstract: A circuit for converting an analog signal to a PWM signal samples an amplitude of the analog signal at first sampling rate and a second slower sampling rate, and produces corresponding first and second signals. A comparison signal defines a first state when the first signal is greater than the second signal, and otherwise defines a second opposite state. The PWM signal switches from a first signal level to a second signal level when the comparison signal switches from the first state to the second state only if the comparison signal thereafter remains in the second state for a specified delay period, and the PWM signal switches from the second signal level to the first signal level when the comparison signal switches from the second state to the first state only if the comparison signal thereafter remains in the first state for the delay period.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device includes a plastically deformable metal strap for resisting the collapse of a steering column. The strap is initially deformable into one or more V-shaped wave formations by anvils to increase the energy required to advance the strap, thereby increasing the resistance to collapse of the steering column. One of the anvils may be removed to eliminate one of the wave formations and thereby reduce the amount of resistance to collapse of the steering column. Alternatively, the position of an anvil may be varied to vary the shape of a wave configuration from a deep V to a shallow V.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column has a plurality of plastically deformable straps each with one end connected to the steering column and an opposite end bent around an anvil connected to stationary vehicle support structure. When the steering column collapses, the straps unwind from the anvils, thereby resisting steering column collapse and absorbing energy. One or more of the straps may be cut in two by a knife at the time of the collision, thereby removing it from the energy absorbing system. In another form of the invention, an energy absorbing strap extends around a piston which has two or more different size anvils. The piston is axially movable in a cylinder to positions surrounding one or another of the anvils. The strap is drawn over the anvil it surrounds when the steering column collapses, thereby resisting collapse of the steering column and absorbing a certain amount of energy depending on the size of the anvil.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column has a plastically deformable strap extending along a track in a base. When the steering column collapses in a collision, the strap moves along the track and a portion of the strap is displaced by a ball in a pocket in the track, which resists strap movement in an amount related to the diameter of the ball. Different diameter balls are provided. One ball is selected depending on the amount of resistance desired. The ball is selected by an actuator operable by a signal generated by a controller in response to a vehicle collision. Alternatively, an anvil displaces a portion of the strap into a U-shape to resist linear movement of the strap. The position of the anvil is adjustable by a stepped adjuster bar to vary the displacement of the U-shaped portion.

Abstract: An intelligent input push rod assembly for applying an input force from a brake pedal to a power booster of a brake system. The input push rod assembly includes a sensor that is capable of generating an electrical output having a magnitude that varies with the amount of force applied to the input push rod by the brake pedal. Preferably, the sensor generates an output voltage signal that is generally proportional to the input force applied to the input push rod. A shunt is provided so that springs associated with the sensor operate in a generally linear force-deflection range of the springs. The output signal generated by the sensor is applied to a brake light control system that is supported by the input push rod assembly. The brake light control system uses the signal generated by the sensor to determine whether the vehicle brake lights should be illuminated and also to cause direct illumination of the brake lights during a braking operation.

Abstract: An airvalve assembly for a brake booster includes first and second members movable relative to each other to allow the passage of fluid, and a clip. The clip engages one of the first or second members, and has a spring arm which engages the other of the first or second members to normally position the first and second members relative to each other.

Abstract: A brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a housing including a bore formed therein. A piston is slidably positioned in the bore, the piston and bore defining a fluid chamber therebetween. A screw member is operatively engaged with the piston. The piston and screw member are movable based on fluid pressure in the fluid chamber and movable in a linear direction based on the rotational movement of the screw member.

Abstract: A thermal energy management system for solid oxide fuel cells includes a monolithic small cell extrusion type heat exchanger coupled to an SOFC stack. In operation, a flow of air having a selected temperature is passed through the heat exchanger cells and thermal energy flowing into and out of the SOFC stack is managed primarily by radiation coupling between the SOFC stack and the heat exchanger. The system further provides management of the temperature distribution around the SOFC to meet outer skin temperature design targets and to control the inlet gas temperatures for the SOFC. The system provides a compact, efficient method for SOFC thermal energy management and is particularly well suited for transportation applications.