Abstract: A secondary terminal lock for an electrical connector assembly includes an inner connector and an outer connector. The inner connector defines at least one elongated terminal space adapted to receive a wire terminal. The outer connector defines a slot adapted to receive the inner connector in telescoping engagement. The secondary terminal lock is disposed adjacent to the terminal space and has a flexible shaft and a distal head having a cam lobe and a forward facing abutment. When the assembly is assembled with a terminal disposed in the terminal space and with the inner connector fitting within the outer connector, the cam lobe abuts the outer connector and causes the head to deflect and move the abutment behind the terminal to prevent the terminal from being removed from the inner connector in a rearward direction.

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: The invention provides a one-piece mounting bracket for mounting a vehicle damper assembly to a knuckle, a vehicle damper assembly, and a method for mounting a vehicle damper assembly to a knuckle. The one-piece mounting bracket includes a body having first and second opposing portions; the body portions include at least one opening formed therein. The bracket further includes a plurality of straps operably attached adjacent end portions of the first and second body portions. The bracket is adapted for operable attachment to a portion of the vehicle damper assembly with a plurality of proximate welds. The vehicle damper assembly includes a damper including a reservoir tube, and a one-piece mounting bracket operably attached to the reservoir tube with a plurality of proximate welds. The mounting method includes providing a one-piece mounting bracket, attaching the bracket to a portion of the vehicle damper assembly by a proximate welding process, and attaching the bracket to the knuckle.

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.

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 operating 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: A no-flow underfill material and process for underfilling a flip chip component. The underfill material comprises at least three polymer layers. A first of the layers overlies terminals of a substrate to which the component is to be mounted. The first and second layers are substantially free of fillers, while the third layer contains a filler material to reduce its CTE. The underfill process entails placing the component so that solder terminals thereof penetrate the first, second and third layers and contact the terminals on the substrate. Because only the third layer contains filler material, penetration of the underfill material by the solder terminals is substantially unimpeded. The solder terminals are then reflowed, during which the filler material migrates into the unfilled first layer and the first, second and third layers consolidate and cure to form a single underfill layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning polysilicon circuit elements includes a supply source configured to impress a desired voltage or current upon a polysilicon circuit element including at least a polysilicon resistor for a desired signal duration. The desired voltage or current and signal duration are chosen to cause an irreversible decrease in the resistance of the polysilicon circuit element without generating enough heat to re-alloy the resistor contacts or fuse open the resistor. The process of the present invention may be selectively performed on desired ones of a number of polysilicon resistors forming an array or matrix to thereby program the array or matrix with a desired binary code. Alternatively, the process may be used to pre-condition all the resistors in an array or matrix to thereby facilitate subsequent programming thereof via conventional fusing techniques.

Abstract: An electrical connection for a surface-mount circuit device, and a method for forming the electrical connection. The electrical connection includes a solder stop that promotes the accurate location of a solder joint that electrically connects the surface-mount device to the conductor. In accordance with the invention, the solder stop also promotes stress relief of the electrical connection during thermal cycling, such that thermal cycle fatigue cracking occurs in the solder stop instead of the conductor and solder joint. As a result, thermal stresses are absorbed and dissipated by the solder stop, and do not adversely affect the continuity and mechanical integrity of the electrical connection. The solder stop preferably has a composition that contains an inorganic particulate filler in a glass matrix, the latter being present in an amount that forms a weak bond between the inorganic particles and between the solder stop and conductor.

Abstract: A method of estimating the angular velocity of an electric power steering motor for an automobile is disclosed. The method comprises estimating an average angular velocity of the motor; estimating an instantaneous angular velocity of the motor; weighting the estimated average angular velocity of the motor; weighting the estimated instantaneous angular velocity of the motor; and combining the weighted estimated average angular velocity of the motor and the weighted estimated instantaneous angular velocity of the motor.

Abstract: An improved gate drive circuit powered by a DC source voltage, the drive circuit having an isolated output stage with a parallel-connected by-pass capacitor and a switched input capacitor circuit that maintains a charge on the by-pass capacitor for driving the gate of a controlled MOS transistor while isolating the by-pass capacitor from the source voltage. In a fully isolated embodiment of the improved gate drive circuit, a bank of controlled switches alternately couples the input capacitor to the source voltage and the by-pass capacitor, while in another embodiment, uni-directional isolation is achieved by replacing one or more of the controlled switches with diodes.

Abstract: A method for controlling the shape and height of solder connections of a surface mount circuit device, such as a flip chip, by way of controlling the manner and extent to which solder is able to flow on a conductor during reflow in order to maximize the distance between adjacent connections. The device is mounted to a circuit board with a conductor pattern defined by a number of conductors, each having a reduced-width portion. A mask is formed on the circuit board to have an opening that exposes a portion of each reduced-width portion, each exposed portion having opposing first and second ends. The device has solder bumps that are staggered so that every other solder bump is registered with a first end of one of the exposed portions, and so that the remaining intervening solder bumps are registered with the opposing second ends of the remaining exposed portions.

Abstract: A control system for a plurality of motor vehicle chassis subsystems comprises a reference model, a state estimator, a feedforward controller, and a feedback controller. The reference model computes desired states of the chassis subsystems. The state estimator estimates actual states of the vehicle. The feedforward controller computes a control value based on input from the reference model, and the feedback controller computes a control value by comparing the estimates of actual states with the desired states.

Abstract: Friction materials for clutch plates, 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 octatitinate, bronze wool, high surface area filter cake, graphite, amorphous carbon and cyanated phenolic resin. The paper composition may be precompounded 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 550° F. The precompounded and dispersed resin provides improved bonding of parts to clutch plates or brake shoes and the like.

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 operating 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: A device for implementing a method for controlling a switched-reluctance motor having a rotor and excitable phases is disclosed. The device comprises a controller and an interface for implementing a master control routine including a pre-alignment stage, a preliminary stage, and a primary stage. During the pre-alignment stage, the rotor is rotated to an initial position corresponding to one the phases being aligned. During the preliminary stage, the rotor is rotated from the initial position is rotated in a desired direction. During the primary stage, any operational losses are minimized when the rotor is positioned in a holding position.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a vehicle suspension system includes a pumping cylinder concentrically aligned inside a housing defining a pumping chamber having a piston stroking therein for reducing the level of vehicle vibration. An intermediate cylinder defines an intermediate chamber with the pumping cylinder and an outer chamber with the housing. Suspension fluid flows throughout each of the chambers. A valve is operably connected to an air supply of a suspension system having an air pressure relative to a mass loaded on the vehicle. The controls the distribution of fluid between the chambers relative to the pressure of the air supply and controls the amount of vibration damping inside the pumping chamber relative to the mass loaded on the vehicle.

Abstract: An On-Board Diagnostics/Inspection Maintenance (OBD/IM) Vehicle Analysis System (OVAS) includes the hardware and software necessary to access the onboard computer systems on 1996 and newer vehicles, determine On-Board Diagnostics Generation II (OBDII) readiness, and recover stored fault codes using the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standardized link. The analyzer is designed to guide the inspector through the OBDII inspection sequence for a particular vehicle and record the results. Information regarding OBDII scanning anomalies (such as “not ready” status of 1996 Subarus) is maintained in the OBD Vehicle Lookup Table (VLT). In addition, information regarding the Data Link Collector (DLC) location is maintained for 1996 and newer vehicles in the OBD-VLT. This information is downloaded to the OVAS analyzers upon initialization and when the OBD-VLT is updated, and is automatically displayed when vehicles undergoing testing match the vehicle criteria (such as make, model, and model year).

Abstract: A fuel pump for a vehicle includes a pump section having a flow channel and a rotatable impeller cooperating with the 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. The pump section has an inlet port and an outlet port communicating with the flow channel and has a shape according to a face angle of the blades.

Abstract: A slide contact electrical connector preferably for an oxygen sensor is assembled in such a way as to protect the precious metal surface of multiple contact pads of an edge card 28. The edge card 28 is encased by a ceramic capsule 30. Trailing portions 54 of terminals 20 are laterally inserted into longitudinally extending channels 52 of a core 22 being radially and axially locked in place. The terminals 20 extend forward from the core 22 and are positioned about the trailing end 42 of the edge card 28 from a longitudinal direction. A collar 26 compresses the terminals 20 against the edge card 28 from a lateral direction thereby making the electrical contact. A shield 18 encircles the capsule 30, collar 26, terminals 20 and core 22 thereby protecting the electrical connection integrity. A seal 16 is disposed at a trailing end of the shield 18 penetrated by a plurality of insulated electrical wires 14.