Abstract: There is provided a process that includes providing an extruded fitting having a bore formed therein. The bore is machined from one or both sides of the extruded fitting to provide a ledge on one side for interacting with a corresponding fitting and a stop on the other. A pipe and braze sleeve are placed in combination into the bore and engage the stop. The pipe and bore include anti-rotation and location irregularities formed thereon to maintain a desired orientation of the parts. A mandrel is used to deform the pipe and sleeve to the shape of the bore. The parts are then brazed in a furnace.

Abstract: A resistive surface pad 10 is provided, including a first upper contact surface 32, a second upper contact surface 34, a first lower contact surface 38 and a second lower contact surface 40. The first upper contact surface 32 and the second upper contact surface 34 are shaped to form a generally arc-shaped upper contact gap 36. The first lower contact surface 38 and the second lower contact surface 40 are shaped to form a generally arc-shaped lower contact gap 42. The second upper contact surface 34 and the second lower contact surface 40 are shaped to form a continuous, generally horizontal, center contact gap 44.

Abstract: A pressure sensor connector (10) for use with a pressure sensor element (12) that includes a plurality of pressure sensor terminals (13). The pressure sensor connector (10) includes a cap (18), a plurality of connector terminals (20) and a frame element (22). A plurality of contacts (24), included in the frame element (22), connect each of the plurality of connector terminals (20) to a corresponding pressure sensor terminal (13).

Abstract: A method for making a sensor is disclosed, comprising mixing a metal oxide with a polymer to create a composition. The composition is applied to at least a portion of the sensing element comprising two electrodes with an electrolyte disposed therebetween, and calcined to form a protective coating. A gas sensor created in accordance with the above-referenced method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A head up display (HUD) has multiple light sources of varying intensities for projecting a high quality image under various lighting conditions. The light sources provide illumination through an electronic display (e.g. an AMLCD) in the HUD. A high brightness light source illuminates the electronic display during bright or day light conditions. A low brightness light source illuminates the electronic display during night or low light conditions. Both light sources illuminate the electronic display during intermediate lighting conditions. A light panel conducts and diffuses light from the light sources to illuminate the rear of the electronic display. An optional light mixer reduces uneven lighting of the high brightness light source. In operation, the intensities of the light sources are controlled as a function of ambient lighting conditions to optimise the projected image quality.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment a vehicle instrument, comprising: a housing; a light pipe disposed in said housing; an applique disposed on a face of said light pipe; and a retainer disposed over said face of said light pipe, said retainer having structure pressing against an outer periphery of said applique to hold said applique against said face of said light pipe, said applique having no other means of attachment to said face of said light pipe.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor modifies motor commutation events to reduce noise by providing overlapping activation of the switch being deactivated with the switch being newly activated so that three switches are temporarily activated. The newly activated switch is pulse width modulated with a motor torque controlling duty cycle, and the switch being deactivated is pulse width modulated synchronously with the newly activated switch but with a duty cycle decreasing from the torque controlling duty cycle. The decreasing modulation of the switch being deactivated allows a slower current decrease in the phase turning off to reduce or eliminate the disturbances, and thus the noise. The decreasing modulation is preferably exponential in manner, with a time constant varying inversely with motor speed so that the duty cycle reaches a predetermined minimum in a predetermined maximum number of motor electrical degrees.

Abstract: A fuel pump includes a pumping plunger reciprocable within a bore formed in a pump housing under the influence of a cam drive arrangement. The cam drive arrangement includes a reciprocable tappet member, a surface associated with the tappet member defining, in part, an auxiliary pumping chamber. A flow path interconnects the auxiliary pumping chamber and the bore such that fuel displaced from the auxiliary pumping chamber, in use, can be supplied through the flow path to the bore.

Abstract: The invention provides a damper assembly (10) comprising a housing (12) defining an inner chamber (22, 24) having a damping fluid disposed therein. A piston rod (14) is slidably retained by the housing (12), and at least partially extends into, the chamber (22, 24). A piston (18) is disposed at a first distal end (21) of the piston rod (14) and strokes inside the housing (12). The piston (18) defines a first chamber (22) and a second chamber (24) within the housing (12) and includes at least one aperture (26) for allowing damping fluid to flow between the first (22) and second (24) chambers. An actuator (30) is disposed within the piston (18) for varying the flow of damping fluid through the aperture (26) between the first (22) and second (24) chambers within the housing (12). The piston rod (14) includes an inner bore (16) that receives pressurized air from an external source for communicating pneumatic control signals to the actuator (30).

Abstract: A method for preparing lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries to reduce water content and cell impedance. A battery having improved calendar life is prepared by electrochemically treating the activated cell by applying a voltage to the cell to react oxygen provided or trapped in the cell with moisture present as an unavoidable impurity. The electrochemical treatment of the present invention decreases the water content in the cell, thereby lowering cell impedance and extending battery life.

Abstract: Master cylinder pressure of either or both of the primary and secondary braking circuits is sensed by a pressure sensor or sensors mounted in a manifold which is installed directly on a brake pressure modulator housing when the modulator is manufactured. The pressure sensors receive power and are grounded through the electronic control unit which is an integral component of the modulator; accordingly, the sensors do not require external electrical connections other than those already provided on the modulator. Since the sensing manifold is installed and tested for leaks when the modulator is manufactured and before the modulator is shipped to the vehicle assembly plant, assembly operations in addition to those required in installation of the modulator in the vehicle braking system are not required.

Abstract: A spark ignition assembly for use in a spark ignition system of an internal combustion engine, and an assembly method therefor. The spark ignition assembly includes a housing within which a spark plug, ignition coil and connector are housed. The spark plug has an insulator body, a first electrode and a ground electrode at a first end of the insulator body, and a terminal at an oppositely-disposed second end of the insulator body. The ignition coil is electrically connected to the terminal of the spark plug and to the connector, through which an electric voltage is applied to the ignition coil. The housing preferably contains a liquid injection molding (LIM) compound that surrounds the ignition coil and at least portions of the connector and spark plug.

Abstract: According to the present invention an in-line compounding/extrusion deposition and molding apparatus and method of using the same are provided. The apparatus comprises a single step compounding and extrusion apparatus which includes an extruder screw. The apparatus includes a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone. The first zone is used to melt an inlet material before the screw advances the melted inlet material into the second zone which comprises a preparation and cutting zone. Simultaneously, as the inlet material is melted in the first zone, the screw rotation feeds a reinforcing fiber bundle into the second zone where the reinforcing fiber bundle is prepared for melt impregnation and is sheared to a desired length. While in the second zone, mixing begins between the melted inlet material and the sheared reinforcing fiber bundle.

Abstract: A governor comprising a centrifugal weight mechanism coupled to an angularly adjustable metering valve member and an adjuster for adjusting the axial position of the meeting valve member to permit droop control.

Abstract: A steering column differential angle position sensor includes an upper target wheel and a lower target wheel. Each target wheel forms a plurality of similarly shaped slots that are equally spaced radially around the target wheels. Two receiver coils and a excitation coil are coaxially aligned with the target wheels. A hollow housing surrounds the target wheels and the coils. The excitation coil generates an alternating current magnetic field around itself, and this alternating current magnetic field generates eddy current in the target wheels. The receiver coils receive an alternating current signal that is a combination of the alternating current magnetic field generated by the excitation coil and the eddy current. The receiver coils sense changes in the alternating current signal due to differential slot alignment of the target wheels, and hence, the torque on a steering column that is mechanically coupled to the sensor.

Abstract: A method of improving the life expectancy of surface mount components is electronic assemblies wherein a distance between the printed circuit board and the surface mount component is held to a predetermined distance defined as the stand-off height. The relationship between the stand-off height and the life expectancy of the component is directly proportional. A larger stand-off height translates into a longer life expectancy. The stand-off height is limited only by manufacturing constraints, such as process limitations and cost concerns. The stand-off height is set to a predetermined dimension by way of a spacer positioned between the surface mount component and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A Rzeppa-type ball spline constant velocity joint includes an outer race, an inner race, and an intermediate race disposed between the inner and outer races and supporting the inner race for angular pivotal movement. The intermediate race and outer race are formed with aligned axial ball channels. A plurality of rows of spline balls are supported by a ball spline cage between the intermediate race and the outer race and extend beyond the ends of the intermediate race to provide free rolling support of the intermediate race along the full limits of the axial stroke of the intermediate race within the outer race.

Abstract: A novel impeller for a regenerative turbine fuel pump improves the efficiency of the pump and yet still retains a geometry that allows it to be manufactured by conventional injection molding techniques at a relatively low cost. The impeller comprises a hub, an outer ring and a plurality of innovative V-shaped vanes. The hub defines an aperture into which the shaft of the pump is securable to allow the hub to rotate about a center axis. The outer ring is concentric to the hub. The vanes extend from an outer surface of the hub to an inner surface of the outer ring. Each vane comprises an entrance portion that extends from the outer surface of the hub and an exit portion that extends from the entrance portion to the inner surface of the outer ring. Each vane has a V-shape of a prespecified angle centered relative to a plane normal to the center axis.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a configurable warning system for a vehicle instrument cluster, including: selection apparatus to select desired characteristics of individual gage elements of the vehicle instrument cluster; illumination apparatus to illuminate the individual gage elements in accordance with selections made by the selection apparatus; and control apparatus operatively connected to the selection apparatus and to the illumination apparatus to receive the selections made by the selection apparatus and to furnish instructions to the illumination apparatus.

Abstract: A roller finger follower includes an elongate body having a first side member and a second side member. A bracket having first and second sides is associated with the body. The first side of the bracket is disposed adjacent an inside surface of the first side member of the body. The second side of the bracket is disposed adjacent an inside surface of the second side member of the body. A roller is disposed between the first and second sides of the bracket. The roller defines a shaft orifice therethrough. An elongate hollow shaft extends through the shaft orifice and couples the roller to the bracket. A locking pin assembly is disposed at least partially within the hollow shaft. The locking pin assembly has a first position wherein the shaft is decoupled from the body and a second position wherein the shaft is coupled to the body. The locking pin assembly is switchable between the first and second positions.