Abstract: A parking brake assembly for an automotive drum brake is provided. The parking brake assembly replaces a conventional mechanical strut with an electronic strut actuator subassembly that provides for parking brake engagement and disengagement, sensing of brake lining wear and adjustment of brake shoe-to-drum clearance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing enhanced charging efficiency and a reduction in charge system cost when charging segmented batteries. A current switching device routes charging current from a charge source to a selected segment of the battery, while the remaining segments are in a relaxation mode and are not receiving charge current. A segment selection device periodically reconfigures the current switching device to route charging current to another segment of the battery. As a result, each of the series-connected cells of the battery are subject to alternating charging and relaxation periods until the battery has achieved a desired state of charge.

Abstract: An electrically operated actuator (10) for a slideable door (8) of a motor vehicle (6) includes a planetary gear set (12) having a sun gear (22), a number of pinion gears (24) rotatably mounted on a planet carrier (26) and interengaging with the sun gear, and a ring gear (28) interengaging with the pinion gears, the sun gear, planet carrier and ring gear being rotatable about an axis (A). An electrical motor (14) is connected to the ring gear to rotate the ring gear about the axis and an electrically actuated brake (16) is connected to the sun gear to brake rotation of the sun gear about the axis. A cable drum (18) is rotatably driven by the planet carrier (26). A cable (20) is wound around the cable drum and connected to the slidable door.

Abstract: A canister purge system for throttleless internal combustion engine intake systems includes a plurality of purge ports, each of which is adapted for connection to an intake port of an internal combustion engine. An evaporative emissions canister is in fluid connection with each purge port. Each purge port includes a valve responsive to pressure changes in the intake port and permitting vapor flow from the evaporative emissions canister into the intake port when a vacuum condition is present in the intake port. The valves prevent flow from the intake port to the evaporative emissions canister when a vacuum is not present in the intake port.

Abstract: A method for passively starting an electric power steering (“EPS”) system includes disabling assist torque upon power-up, detecting an index pulse upon a movement of a steering column across one of a plurality of reference positions, enabling assist torque for the EPS system upon detecting the index pulse, receiving a variable input torque command indicative of an external steering input, and ramping a variable assist motor torque towards the variable input torque command after enabling assist torque for the EPS system until the variable assist torque is substantially equal to the variable input torque command; wherein an EPS system apparatus includes a steering wheel for receiving operator inputs coupled to a steering column, a motor coupled to the steering column for applying torque assist to the column, an encoder coupled to the motor for determining the angular displacement of the steering column where the encoder comprises at least one track and a set of sensors for sensing the at least one t

Abstract: A flash programmable microprocessor-based control module is operated in a manner to protect the integrity of event data stored in the programmable memory of the module while permitting authorized manufacturing and field alteration of the programmable memory with a Download and Execute routine. The Download and Execute routine is resident in a designated sector of the module's read-only memory, and download access to the module's random access memory after module manufacture has been completed is denied. During manufacture of the module, and during field programming of the controller prior to the writing of event data, the programmable memory may be externally altered by an authorized service tool by transferring the Download and Execute routine from read-only memory to random access memory for execution by the module's microprocessor, and downloading the new data or code over a data link coupling the service tool to the module.

Abstract: A method and fixture is provided for calibrating an instrumented fastener. The fixture includes an upper member. A cap member of the fixture can be removably attached to the upper member. The cap member can include an opening formed therein to receive an upper portion of the fastener. A lower member can be positioned adjacent the cap member, the lower member including an opening formed therein. A removable insert can be positioned in the lower member opening to receive a lower portion of the fastener.

Abstract: A vibration damper assembly to dampen the vibration generated in a motor vehicle and transmitted through, for example, a steering assembly. The vibration damper assembly includes a rotor disposed within a housing. The rotor is operatively connected to a velocity generating member such as a pinion that is integrated with the steering assembly. A conductive sleeve is disposed between the housing and the rotor. A coil engages the sleeve and is capable of generating a magnetic field that is transmitted through the sleeve. A plate separates the rotor from the sleeve thereby defining a viscous fluid chamber and a Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid chamber between the rotor and the sleeve. The viscous fluid chamber includes a Newtonian fluid and the MR fluid chamber includes a MR fluid having sheer properties reactive to the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electromagnetically operated actuator for a valve arrangement. The valve arrangement is responsive to an actuator armature. The actuator has a winding and is preferably of the two-stage lift type. The method includes applying a first, low voltage to the actuator, using a first voltage source, to generate a relatively low rate of current increase through the actuator winding, thereby to impart a force to the armature to cause the armature to move relatively slowly from a rest position to a first intermediate position. The method also includes applying a second, higher voltage to the actuator, using a second voltage source coupled to the first voltage source through a regeneration path, to generate a relatively high rate of current increase through the actuator winding, thereby to impart a force to the armature to cause the armature to move relatively quickly from the first intermediate position to a second position.

Abstract: A disc brake (10) comprising at least two discs (12, 14), and a hub (16) which is arranged to rotate about an axis (18) thereof. The system (10) also comprises mounting arrangement (20,22) by which the discs (12, 14) are mounted on the hub (16) so that the hub and the discs rotate as a unit about the axis (18) and the discs can perform axial sliding movement on the hub. The system (10) also comprises a plurality of leaf springs (42) mounted on the hub (16) and engaging the discs (12, 14) so that the springs apply force between the discs and the hub. The leaf springs (42) are arranged in groups, one spring in each group acting on each disc, at least one spring in each group being retained in position by a connection (44) to another spring in the group.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper assembly is provided which includes a cup member with a threaded opening formed therein. A piston rod includes a threaded portion, which is engaged in the threaded opening. An electrical connector including a terminal portion is received in an opening formed in the piston rod. The threaded engagement between the piston rod and the cup member is a predetermined length that reduces deflection of the cup member to reduce transfer of load to the terminal portion of the electrical connector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a strut spring seat support to support a coil spring and attachable to other vehicle suspension system components. The strut spring seat support comprises a spring seat bracket and a lower spring seat. In a preferred embodiment, the spring seat bracket is welded to the reservoir tube and the lower spring seat is positioned around the reservoir tube and projection welded to the spring seat bracket.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for retaining a component within a hydraulic control unit of a vehicular braking system. The system comprises a housing and a component wherein the housing includes an angled lead in formed in an opening of the housing and an outer retaining portion. The component includes an inner portion that is angled to contact the angled lead in at a single point. The component includes an outer portion to contact the retaining portion of the housing when deformed. A deformed portion of the housing retains a device, such as the component.

Abstract: A golf club has a shaft, a connecting pin, a pin and a nut. One end of the connecting pin is securely inserted into the shaft, the other end of the connecting pin is threaded and is exposed from the shaft. The head is mounted on the shaft and has a neck with a passage for the shaft inserting into the passage in the neck. A baffle formed in the passage in the neck and has a through hole for the connecting pin extending through the through hole. The nut is screwed with the thread on the connecting pin and abuts the baffle. Consequently, the head is securely attached to the shaft with the connecting pin and the nut. With such an arrangement, the head is adjustable relative to the shaft prior to an adhesion process.

Abstract: An injector coil body assembly with upper and lower coil bodies is held together with a spring type press fit instead of welding. The coil bodies are made with generally tubular connecting portions telescoped together around the magnetic coil. The downwardly open tubular lower portion of the upper body is longer and slightly smaller than the connecting upwardly open tubular upper portion of the lower body so that the lower portion of the upper body fits into the upper portion of the lower body. A longitudinal slot in the upper body lower portion allows the lower portion to spring in slightly upon insertion into the lower body upper portion so that the upper and lower bodies are retained in assembly by a spring biased press fit. The press fit holds the telescoped portions in close contact, providing an efficient path for carrying the magnetic flux of the coil.

Abstract: Method and system for estimating rotor position of a switched reluctance machine is provided. The method allows for estimating flux linkage across a respective phase of the machine. The method allows for measuring of magnetization curves at aligned and unaligned positions of the machine. The method further allows for computing magnetization reference data between the aligned and unaligned positions. A storing step allows for storing rotor position data based on the magnetization reference data. The stored rotor position data is indicative of rotor position variation as a function of phase current. A relating step allows to relate the estimated flux linkage to the magnetization reference data to determine, for a respective phase current, correspondence of the estimated flux linkage relative to the magnetization reference data. A retrieving step allows for retrieving stored rotor position data when said correspondence is determined.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in an electronic processor-controlled vehicular braking system. When integrated into such a braking system, the need for downstream caliper pressure sensors, and any algorithms associated therewith, is eliminated. The method consists of generating and using estimated caliper pressure for comparison to command pressure, instead of actual caliper pressure. The method elicits a far quicker yet accurate response to the estimated caliper pressure in line with command pressure.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological damping device comprises a core element for carrying a magnetic flux and a magnetic flux generator positioned adjacent to a portion of the core element and operable to generate a magnetic flux in the core element. A sleeve is positioned over the core element and magnetic flux generator and includes a plurality of protrusions extending generally radially outwardly from a center of the core element. A flux ring surrounds the core element and sleeve and defining a passage between flux ring and core element for the flow of a magneto-rheological fluid. The sleeve protrusions are configured to engage the flux ring and secure the flux ring in a concentric position around the core element and sleeve.

Abstract: An actively variable energy absorber including a convex anvil on a steering column housing, a flat metal strap attached to a steering column support and slidably engaging the convex anvil on an active surface area of the convex anvil, and a control apparatus for actively varying the geometric relationship between the flat metal strap and the convex anvil in response to changes in a control variable thereby to adjust the magnitude of the active surface area. Adjusting the magnitude of the active surface area changes the severity of plastic deformation of the flat metal strap and the magnitude of the friction between the flat metal strap and the convex anvil thereby to adjust the force resisting linear translation of the steering column housing. In some embodiments of the actively variable energy absorber, the flat metal strap is plastically deformed by being pulled over a single convex anvil during linear translation of the steering column housing.

Abstract: The gas sensor comprises a sensor element; a shell disposed around at least a portion of the sensor element, the shell having a projecting edge from a first end, wherein a portion of the projecting edge is bent toward the sensing element; an upper shield disposed around at least a portion of the sensor element, the upper shield having a terminal end; a gasket disposed between the projecting edge and the terminal end, wherein the gasket is a U-type gasket; and a lower shield affixed to a second end of the shell.