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: The present invention provides a rotary holding device for an electrically actuated brake system in a vehicle including a rotor assembly including a plurality of teeth and a stator assembly including a plurality of teeth. The stator assembly teeth are positioned adjacent the rotor assembly teeth and a coil is positioned to allow a magnetic flux to align the rotor assembly teeth and the stator assembly teeth when the coil is energized to hold a motor shaft coupled to the device.

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 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: 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.

Abstract: A hydraulic transmission fluid supply system for operating a transmission of a vehicle includes a hydraulic pump having an inlet and an outlet communicating with an inlet of the transmission. A filter assembly includes a filter housing having an inlet communicating with a source of hydraulic fluid and a fluid outlet communicating with the inlet of the pump. A check valve is associated with the filter housing inlet to permit only one-way flow of fluid through the system such that in the event the transmission develops an air leak, the fluid is nonetheless maintained in the system and not permitted to back flow through the system.

Abstract: A mount for a powertrain component of a motor vehicle comprises first and second mounting members, an elastomeric body connected to the first mounting member and connected to the second mounting member, and a plate. The plate defines first and second chambers, and has an orifice for the passage of fluid therethrough. A plunger having at least one hole is connected to the first mounting member, and a compliance member is disposed proximate the at least one hole.

Abstract: A light emitting diode, LED, to fiber optic cable coupler assembly for use in data communications is disclosed. An integral aspheric lens comprises a base and a dome, both of which are circumvented by a reflective surface. The light rays emitted from the face are either directly incident upon a fiber optic cable face, or are refracted through the base and reflected upon the reflective surface. Once reflected, the rays become incident upon the fiber optic cable face.

Abstract: The piston for a magneto-rheological fluid system is manufactured from a piston skirt of a material having a high magnetic permeability and a piston plate which closes one end of the piston skirt having a low magnetic permeability and therefore must be made out of a material such as stainless steel. The piston is manufactured by placing the plate on one electrode and clamping another set of electrodes against the outer circumferential surface of the piston ring or skirt. The plate and ring are brought into contact with one another while applying a current through the piston ring and the piston plate, thereby heating interfering portions of the ring and plate and permitting the plate to be forced inside of the ring while at the same time allowing the softened or plastic portions of the ring and plate to intermingle with one another and thus form a solid state bond.

Abstract: A gear isolator assembly includes a gearbox housing, a first gear having a first axis of rotation about a first shaft and the second gear having a second axis of rotation about a second shaft. The first and second gears are rotatably mounted in a gearbox housing so that the first and second gears mesh with each other such that the first axis of the first gear is substantially perpendicular to the second axis of the second gear. The gear isolator assembly is preferably disposed within the gearbox housing about the second gear for reducing noise generated between the first and second gears during operation of the mechanism.

Abstract: A multifunction pushbutton switch for mounting on a steering wheel (1) of an automobile comprises an oblong housing (11) accommodating a contact assembly (40) featuring circuit elements (42), comprises at least one automatically restoring pushbutton (10), a switching element (30) acting on the circuit elements (42), and comprises an actuating ridge (23) provided with two opposing actuating faces (23,26) to enable variable use of the multifunction pushbutton switch on the steering wheel (1) of an automobile, the pushbutton (10) is mounted so as to allow toggling and to be centered on the housing (11) and has a cross section which transverse to the pushbutton's mounting axis (22) is symmetric, said mounting axis (22) extending parallel to the actuating ridge (23).

Abstract: A mobile weather band radio and method with dynamic geographic message updating. The radio has a weather band tuner for receiving weather band signals containing a message and a geographic identification code. A position indicative receiver is provided for receiving position indicative signals and determining a current position of the radio. Geographic identification codes and electronic map data are stored in memory for defining geographic regions corresponding to the geographic identification codes. A controller determines one of the geographic codes corresponding to the determined current position based on the position indicative signals, and further performs an operation, such as playing the message, when the determined geographic code corresponds to the received geographic code.

Abstract: A linear position sensor that includes a plurality of Hall effect transducers enables reliable positioning of a parking brake cable. Coarse positioning sensing is provided by longitudinally spacing the Hall effect transducers such that not more than one transducer has a positively sloped output signal for a given position of a magnet connected to a parking brake cable actuator. Fine position sensing is provided by linear approximation of the output signal with an offset appropriate for the specific transducer having the sensed positively sloped output signal.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and program product that controls the release of an electronically activated parking brake. An algorithm adjusts for cable stretch and limits the occurrence of over-release and wheel drag within the brake system. A controller monitors force incident on an actuator during a brake release operation. When a preset load is indicated, the controlling parameter of the algorithm transitions from force to position control. Once in position control, the controller uses previous position measurements and equipment specific constants to calculate a release point.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and program product that controls the release of an electronically activated parking brake. An algorithm adjusts for cable stretch and limits the occurrence of over-release and wheel drag within the brake system. A controller monitors force incident on an actuator during a brake release operation. When a preset load is indicated, the controlling parameter of the algorithm transitions from force to position control. Once in position control, the controller uses previous position measurements and equipment specific constants to calculate a release point.

Abstract: A process of laser welding high carbon martensitic stainless steel components and austenitic stainless steel components by a stabilized ferritic stainless steel fusion zone modifier in the weld joint, and articles formed therefrom. The stabilized ferritic stainless steel fusion zone modifier comprises, in terms of weight percentage, from about 10% to about 35% chromium, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of no more than about 1.5% titanium and no more than about 1.5% columbium. The stabilized ferritic stainless steel fusion zone modifier present in the fusion zone inhibits and prevents solidification cracks and micro-fissures from forming in the weld joint, and assists immunity to environmental degradation.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a high voltage (HV) terminal formed of stamped sheet metal attached to a secondary winding spool, and to which a high voltage end of the secondary winding is soldered. The ignition apparatus further includes an electrically conductive cup formed of stamped aluminum or brass that is disposed in a case and is configured to receive the high voltage terminal when the secondary winding spool is inserted in the case. The high voltage terminal has a spring tab or the like that is biased radially outwardly into engagement with an inner annular surface of the cup. A bottom outer surface of the cup is arranged to be engaged by a high voltage spring or the like for making the connection to the spark plug. The cup is substantially free of burrs, sharp edges, and the like, and therefore reduces localized occurrences of high electric field concentrations, which could otherwise lead to insulating material, and thus ignition coil, failure.

Abstract: An improved method of identifying the cylinder combustion sequence of a four-stroke internal combustion engine accepts of rejects an assumed combustion sequence based on measured ion current combustion quality (CQ) indications. Individual CQ indications for the various engine cylinders are algebraically combined as a function of the assumed combustion sequence so that the combined CQ indication increases in a first polarity if the assumed combustion sequence is correct, and in a second polarity if the assumed combustion sequence is incorrect. When the absolute value of the combined CQ indication exceeds a threshold, the polarity of the combined CQ indication is used to either accept or reject the assumed combustion sequence.

Abstract: A tension sensing switch assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for operative connection to the seat restraint system and a spring at least partially disposed in the housing for operatively cooperating with vehicle structure. The tension sensing switch assembly also includes a switch disposed in the housing and cooperable with the spring to indicate a first tension level and a second tension level in the seat restraint system when the spring is deflected.