Abstract: A stop determination for a vehicle is provided by requiring simultaneous stop determinations by at least one wheel speed sensor providing output pulses at a rate inversely proportional to vehicle speed and a forward looking radar unit for sensing an object in the vehicle's path and providing a range rate signal with respect to that object. The determination is particularly useful when the time between consecutive pulses at a predetermined minimum speed indicative of an essentially stopped vehicle is greater than a predetermined maximum time period allowed for the determination. Each of the signals complements the other to provide a vehicle stopped determination that is more reliable than either can provide by itself and is workable for most purposes, including stop and go vehicle speed control.

Abstract: A hydraulic engine mount includes an orifice track formed in a partition between an elastomer body and a base member of the mount, the partition being formed by two separable orifice plates. An annular fluid filled tuning chamber is disposed adjacent the orifice track and separated therefrom by a flexible membrane. An actuator is in communication with the tuning chamber for forcing pressure fluid into or out of the chamber to selectively deflect or distend the membrane to modify the cross sectional area of the orifice track and the vibration damping characteristics of the mount.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a damped steering assembly are provided. The damped steering assembly includes a steering wheel attached to a steering column. Disposed between the steering wheel and the steering column is an active vibration control mechanism. The active vibration control mechanism damps vibration transmitted from the steering column to the steering wheel.

Abstract: A solid plate of material has an outer side and an inner side. A hole is disposed in and through the solid plate, the hole being capable of receiving from the outer side one end of an exhaust pipe. The inner side of the solid plate has a collar capable of being received within an annular edge of a catalytic converter housing. The outer and inner sides of the end plate have an area outside the circumference of the catalytic converter housing that contains at least one hole capable of receiving a bolt or other fastening mechanism.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint assembly including an inflatable curtain structure deployable from a storage position along the roof rail of the vehicle so as to extend downwardly over an area within the vehicle interior adjacent to an occupant to be protected. The inflatable curtain structure is deployed downwardly along a deployment path from its storage location along the roof rail of the vehicle in substantially nonobstructing relation to shoulder harness structures and is thereafter anchored over the covered area in a substantially tensioned configuration.

Abstract: A method of determining a vehicle steering wheel angle by receiving at least one steering sensor output from at least one steering sensor. The method then receives a vehicle speed signal. A centered steering angle is determined based on the received vehicle speed signal and the steering sensor output.

Abstract: A disc brake including a pair of friction plates arranged coaxially in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship and a plurality of vanes extending between the pair of friction plates, each of the vanes having a proximal end, a distal end and a mid-portion extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the proximal ends of a plurality of the vanes having a first width, the mid-portion having a second width, the first width being substantially greater than the second width. The vanes can include a T-shaped portion adjacent the proximal end.

Abstract: A release mechanism of efficient construction and operation is provided to hold profile restraining air bag tethers in a shortened operative condition under a first set of predetermined conditions and to extend such tethers under a second set of predetermined conditions. The extension of the restraining tethers may be carried out in conjunction with the delivery of an increased volume of inflating gas to the air bag cushion utilizing a gas emitting inflator in conjunction with a dynamic variable inflation device to effect delivery of a proper volume of inflation gas while releasing the tethers from a restrained length condition.

Abstract: A process is provided for forming a thin film deposit of a Ni—Ti—Hf ternary shape memory alloy on a substrate by magnetron sputtering deposition having high transformation temperatures and good shape-memory and mechanical properties. The method of forming a thin film deposit of a ternary shape memory alloy on a substrate by sputtering deposition comprises arranging a Ni—Ti—Hf target and a substrate within a deposition chamber, maintaining a working distance from the target to the substrate of about 83 mm to 95 mm; heating the substrate to a temperature high enough to induce in-situ crystallization; introducing a krypton working gas into the deposition chamber; applying appropriate level of deposition power so that the deposition rate is from about 6 Å per second to about 120 Å per second; and, depositing a Ni—Ti—Hf shape memory alloy film having a composition ranging from about Ni48(TiHf)52 to Ni50(TiHf)50.

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: An electromagnetic fuel injector comprises a body with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet and a base that comprises a valve seat connected to the body. A moveable valve assembly comprising an armature and a valve outlet member is disposed at the fuel outlet for controlling the flow of fuel from the outlet. Positioned between the armature and valve outlet member is a dampening device that acts on the moveable valve assembly to reduce bounce of the valve outlet member at the valve seat. An electromagnetic fuel injector comprises a body with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet and a base that comprises a valve seat connected to the body. A moveable valve assembly comprises an armature connected to a valve outlet member that includes a pintle and a ball element that is disposed at the fuel outlet to control the flow of fuel from the outlet. At least one spring, positioned between the armature and the valve outlet member, acts on the moveable valve assembly to reduce bounce of the valve outlet member at the valve seat.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a multi-layered magnetic rod in which a steel powder is reduced and extruded through a die. To improve the magnetic properties, a layer of rare earth magnetic power formed around the low alloy steel in the extruder chamber. A second layer of coating formed around the rare earth powder and the three layers are co-extruded through the die to produce a layered rod having improved magnetic properties. The resulting magnetic rod may be machined using conventional machining methods.

Abstract: A three-way gas control valve assembly for selectively controlling gas flow from one inlet port into two outlet ports or vice-versa, such as may be required for flow control of hydrogen-containing reformate in fuel cell applications. The valve assembly comprises three subassemblies: a metering subassembly disposable within the high-temperature environment in the fuel cell for mechanically regulating reformate flow; an actuating subassembly disposable outside the fuel cell and connected to the metering subassembly for actuating a pintle shaft and valve head in the metering subassembly; and a coupling tube subassembly extendable through an insulative shroud to mechanically couple and thermally isolate the metering and actuating subassemblies.

Abstract: A vapor removal fuel containment fuel tank for a vehicle includes a tank shell having a wall formed from a primary fuel containment layer. The fuel tank also includes a secondary fuel containment layer disposed adjacent the primary fuel containment layer to contain fuel therein. The fuel tank further includes a vapor removal system extending through the primary fuel containment layer to allow fuel vapors that build up between the primary fuel containment layer and secondary fuel containment layer to be removed from the fuel tank.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an annular metal-bristled brush for cleaning the pintle shaft of a pintle valve, such as an exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine, to prevent coking and failure of the valve. The brush surrounds the shaft, the tips of the bristles making contact with the shaft with sufficient force to dislodge incipient coke deposits but with insufficient force to inhibit the axial motion of the pintle shaft in actuation. Preferably, the brush is disposed in an annular space in the valve body between the pintle shaft bearing and the gas-metering chamber such that the shaft is brushed in both directions during each actuative cycle of the valve. Preferably, the annular space is slightly larger both axially and radially than the corresponding dimensions of the brush so that the brush is free to float without binding the pintle shaft.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium storing a computer program is provided for independent control of a variable force damper system. The variable force damper system can be applied to control a vehicle suspension system. The system provides individual wheel control independent of vehicle body forces. In operation, at least one relative velocity signal and at least one body demand force is received. At least one body damper command is determined based on the body demand force. At least one wheel motion indicating parameter is determined based on the relative velocity signal. At least one wheel damper command is determined based on the wheel motion indicating parameter and a damper command is determined based on the larger of the body damper command and the wheel damper command.

Abstract: A disc brake rotor is retained on a bearing hub assembly during handling, shipping and installation of the wheel by a retaining clip. The clip is snapped into a machined groove on the bearing pilot hub after the disc brake rotor is assembled to the bearing and gauged for optimal runout. The retaining clip acts as a physical block thereby keeping the rotor positioned on the bearing hub and eliminates the need for specific orientation of a retention device or removal of material from the disc rotor or wheel as in prior systems.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological (“MR”) damper having a damper body tube containing an MR fluid. A piston assembly is disposed in the damper body tube and forms an annular flow gap between the piston assembly and the damper body tube. The piston assembly has a piston core containing ferrous material and an electromagnetic coil mounted on the piston core for generating a magnetic field. The damper further includes a ferromagnetic member positioned outside of the damper body tube substantially adjacent the piston assembly for providing at least a part of a magnetic flux return path for the magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid formulation exhibiting consistently high yield stress during use. The MR fluid comprises martensitic or ferritic stainless steel particles prepared by a controlled water or inert gas atomization process. The stainless steel particles are resistant to corrosion and oxidation, are generally smooth and spherical, and maintain their shape and size distribution throughout their use under an applied magnetic field.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological (“MR”) damper having a gas cup that slidably moves within a damper body tube and isolates an MR fluid from a gas in one end of the damper body tube. The gas cup has a dynamic seal that comprises an MR fluid compatible O-ring located in a narrow O-ring groove disposed in an outer surface of the gas cup. The narrow O-ring groove is sized to reduce entrapment of abrasive magnetic particles in the MR fluid between the O-ring and an inner surface of the damper body tube. The O-ring groove has a free roll room of about less than 12%.