Abstract: A voltage regulator for control of a vehicle generator. The voltage regulator is selectably responsive to a voltage representing the generator output voltage at the alternator output terminal, or to an external voltage sensed at a load or source point on the vehicle. The voltage regulator determines the relationship between these two sensed voltages and in response thereto chooses one of the sensed voltages for use in controlling the generator output by controlling the field excitation current input thereto. Certain conditions also cause the voltage regulator to latch in a mode where it is controlled only by one of the alternator output terminal voltage or the external voltage. Manual resetting may be required to discontinue the latched operational mode.

Abstract: A modular blow-off base valve is provided for a vehicle twin tube damper in which a valve body is inserted into the end of an inner damper tube. The valve body has a central opening into which is inserted a valve cage assembly. The valve cage assembly includes a valve cage tubular member having a blow-off valve opening which is pressed into the central opening. A valve stem forming a valve seat with the blow-off valve opening is biased into a closed position by a helical spring seated against the underside of the valve stem at one end and a spring retainer fastened to the bottom of the valve cage at its other end. An annular bleed disc, intake disc and washer disc fit over the tubular member and cover rebound openings in the valve body. When the valve cage assembly is placed into the valve body's central opening, the washer disc biases the intake disc into sealing engagement with the rebound openings in the valve body.

Abstract: A flex connector assembly is provided having a plug assembly and a receptacle assembly for electrically connecting with the plug assembly. The plug assembly includes a plug housing, a first plug interface surface and a plug flex connector having a first portion with a plurality of conductive protrusions thereon, wherein the plug flex connector is fixed in the plug housing such that the conductive protrusions are positioned on the first plug interface surface. The receptacle assembly includes a receptacle housing, a first receptacle interface surface and a receptacle flex connector having a plurality of conductive protrusions thereon, wherein the receptacle flex connector is fixed in the receptacle housing such that the conductive protrusions are positioned on the first receptacle interface surface. The conductive protrusions of the plug assembly are aligned to contact conductive protrusions on the receptacle assembly when the plug assembly and receptacle assembly are connected.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a constant velocity joint of tripod type which is both highly strong and durable, and which can minimize rolling resistance when transmitting torque at a joint angle. A tripod type constant velocity joint comprises a housing secured to a first rotating shaft and a tripod having trunnion axes spaced apart equally in a circumferential direction and securing equally to the second rotating shaft. The cross section normal to the trunnion axis is shaped to an ellipse and the direction of its short diameter is arranged parallel to the second rotational shaft.

Abstract: A device for sensing oil condition includes an oil condition sensor that includes a first sensing plate separated from a second sensing plate by a spacer. Affixed to the first sensing plate and the second sensing plate is a platinum sensing electrode and a resistance temperature device. The sensing electrodes are separated by a gap that is filled with engine oil when the sensor is installed in an oil pan. A processor connected to the sensor can be used to determine when the engine is experiencing a first stage of oil degradation, a second stage of oil degradation, and a third stage of oil degradation. Each stage of degradation is characterized by a first sensor output signal trend, a second sensor output signal trend, and a third output signal trend, respectively.

Abstract: Friction materials for clutch, brake shoes and the like are formed of a paper having reduced or eliminated non-functional processing additives. The paper composition includes components selected from a group consisting of aramid pulp, aramid staple, carbon/polyacrylonitrile fibers, glass wool, potassium octatitanate, bronze wool, high surface area filter cake, graphite, amorphous carbon and cyanated phenolic resin. The paper composition may be pre-compounded to a particle size in the range of 60 to 200 mesh. Part molding may be carried out by microwave heating the paper at 250° to 55° F.

Abstract: A system for seating a head of a valve shaft that is received within a first axial bore in a primary bushing includes a second bushing having a second axial bore. The second axial bore has a second bore diameter, and is substantially concentric relative to the first axial bore. The valve shaft has a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The first portion has a first portion diameter, and the second portion has a second portion diameter. The first portion diameter is a predetermined amount less than the second bore diameter, whereas the second portion diameter is substantially equal to the second bore diameter. The first shaft portion is received within the second axial bore when the valve shaft is in the closed position. The second shaft portion is received within the second axial bore when the valve shaft is in the open position.

Abstract: An absolute hand-wheel position tracking system for an electric power steering system having a hand-wheel, an assist motor for providing an assist torque disposed relative to the hand-wheel, and a motor position sensor responsive to the assist motor, includes a hand-wheel position initialization function responsive to the hand-wheel; a motor position correction and scaling function responsive to the motor position sensor and responsive to the assist torque; an enable function responsive to the assist torque and responsive to the hand-wheel position initialization function; and an absolute hand-wheel position generation function in signal communication with the hand-wheel position initialization function, the motor position correction and scaling function, and the enable function.

Abstract: An electronic returnless fuel system for a vehicle includes a fuel pump to pump fuel from a fuel tank. The electronic returnless fuel system also includes a fuel rail fluidly connected to the fuel pump to distribute the fuel to an engine of the vehicle and a pressure transducer to sense pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail. The electronic returnless fuel system includes a controller electrically connected to the pressure transducer and the fuel pump to control the pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail at a set operating pressure. The electronic returnless fuel system further includes a pressure relief valve interconnecting the fuel pump and the fuel rail set a predetermined amount above the set operating pressure and at least one jet pump disposed in the fuel tank and fluidly connected to the pressure relief valve.

Abstract: An intermediate steering shaft including a tubular shaft element, a solid shaft element telescoped into the tubular shaft element, a pair of universal couplings for connecting the tubular and solid elements to respective ones of a steering shaft and a steering gear input shaft, and a torsionally elastic coupling between the solid shaft element and the corresponding one of the universal couplings. The torsionally elastic coupling includes a torsion sleeve on the solid shaft element, a bushing cavity around the torsion sleeve in a yoke of the universal coupling, and an elastomeric bushing on the torsion sleeve interference fitted in the bushing cavity. A pair of long radial lugs on the torsion sleeve are disposed in respective ones of a pair of notches in the universal coupling yoke with separation therebetween. The elastomeric bushing is relatively soft for maximum torsional vibration isolation at high vehicle speed.

Abstract: A variable valve actuating mechanism includes an output cam pivotally disposed upon an input shaft. A first link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the output cam. A rocker arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to a second end of the link arm. A frame member is pivotally disposed upon the input shaft. Lash adjusting means include an eccentric pin and a force applying means. The eccentric pin pivotally couples together a first end of the frame member and a second end of the rocker arm. The force applying means applies a force upon the eccentric pin causing the eccentric pin to pivot which, in turn, adjusts the position of the rocker arm relative to the input shaft and thereby removes lash from the mechanism.

Abstract: A method for altering engine ignition timing includes removing a centered gear tooth sensor from an engine. The centered gear tooth sensor is replaced with an offset gear tooth sensor. The offset gear tooth sensor includes a sensing element that forms a sensing angle, &agr;, with respect to a center diametric axis defined by a target wheel. The engine ignition timing is altered by an angular amount equal to the sensing angle, &agr;, of the sensing element.

Abstract: A brake system and method of controlling the system are disclosed. The system provides secondary hydraulic braking in a de-energized mode. The system includes a wheel brake associated with wheels of a vehicle typically at each corner of the vehicle. The wheel brake typically includes a caliper or drum for deceleration of the vehicle. The system includes a master cylinder in fluid communication with the wheel brake. In the de-energized mode, the master cylinder operates the wheel brake. A solenoid isolation valve decouples the master cylinder from the wheel brake when the system is in a normal, i.e., an energized, mode. As such, the master cylinder is isolated from the wheel brake and is prevented from operating the wheel brake. Alternatively, in the de-energized mode, the isolation valve couples the master cylinder with the wheel brake to provide the secondary hydraulic braking.

Abstract: A combination circuit board (12) and segmented bus structure (54) defines a composite circuit board/bus assembly (52) upon which an electrical circuit may be assembled. The various segments (54a-54f) of bus structure (54) may be variously configured to achieve one or more assembly, performance, testing, and/or reliability goals. For example, one bus segment configuration provides integral connector tabs (54a and 54e) for mechanical and/or electrical connection to interconnecting wires or electrical terminals of one or more external devices. Another bus segment configuration (54d) provides for mechanical and high current electrical interconnections between one or more bus segments (54a-54f) and one or more electrical components (16, 18, 20) and/or conductive film patterns(64) formed on top surface (12b) of the circuit board (12).

Abstract: A vehicle rollover sensor is provided for detecting an anticipated overturn condition of a vehicle. The rollover sensor includes a first angular rate sensor sensing attitude rate of change of a vehicle about a first axis and producing a first attitude rate of change signal. Also included is a second angular rate sensor sensing attitude rate of change of the vehicle about a second axis and producing a second attitude rate of change signal. The first and second angular rate sensors are located on a vehicle and arranged so that the first axis is different from the second axis. The rollover sensor further includes a rollover discrimination controller for determining a vehicle overturn condition based on the first and second sensed attitude rate of change signals. In addition, roll arming logic generates a roll arming signal based on the first and second sensed attitude rate of change signals.

Abstract: A fuel pump for a vehicle includes a pump section having a flow channel and a rotatable impeller cooperating with said flow channel to pump fuel therethrough. The fuel pump also includes a motor section disposed adjacent the pump section and having a motor to rotate the impeller. The fuel pump further includes an outlet section disposed adjacent the motor section to allow pumped fuel to exit the fuel pump. The impeller includes a plurality of blades that are generally V shaped and have thinned edges.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain torque control provides an engine drag control mode of operation during periods of undesired engine drag induced wheel slip by modifying the torque of the vehicle engine in closed loop control to maintain a driven wheel speed at a predetermined target velocity lower than the vehicle speed by a target velocity difference providing as much engine braking as is consistent with a desired degree of lateral traction. The control derives a velocity error as the difference between the driven wheel speed and the target velocity and derives and delivers to the powertrain a torque command for reducing the velocity error. The torque control determines the engine drag control mode in response to the wheel speed sensors, preferably causing entry of the engine drag control mode when the driven wheel speed that is closest to the vehicle speed falls below the target velocity while powertrain delivered torque and throttle position are below predetermined values indicative of deceleration.

Abstract: A deceleration control for automotive vehicle speed control apparatus includes first and second memories storing values of closed and open loop deceleration commands, respectively, as functions of the desired vehicle deceleration rate signal. During commanded vehicle deceleration, closed loop brake command signals, derived from values of the closed loop deceleration command in the first memory, are provided to the vehicle braking system while the determined vehicle speed exceeds a transition threshold value; and, alternatively, open loop brake command signals derived from values of the open loop deceleration command in the second memory are provided to the vehicle braking system while the determined vehicle speed does not exceed the transition threshold value. The values in the first memory means are updated on the basis of deceleration error while the determined vehicle speed exceeds the transition threshold value.

Abstract: A tripot joint includes a tripot housing having a plurality of longitudinally extending ball channels for receiving a corresponding plurality of trunnions projecting from a shaft. Each trunnion is fitted with a ball module formed as a separate sub-assembly from the trunnions. Each ball module includes a roller ball having a bore in which a plurality of needle bearings is disposed. A bearing cage is received with a snap-fit connection within the bore to retain the needle bearing within the roller ball independently of the trunnions.

Abstract: A generator wake-up system that transitions the voltage regulator from a low power, sleep mode to full voltage regulation mode when the wake-up system detects and confirms a valid frequency of rotation of the generator. The wake-up system includes a control circuit to filter, amplify, and detect the proper threshold of an input waveform; and an assessing device that implements a control algorithm to measure and validate the input waveform.