Abstract: A mounting apparatus for an electromagnetic device such as a transformer of inductor includes a generally planar metallic plate as a first heat sink, and a metallic mounting cup as a second heat sink. The mounting cup includes a cavity configured to receive the electromagnetic device, the cavity being defined by a base, and an axially-extending annular sidewall extending from the base to a flange portion of the mounting cup. The mounting cup includes first and second passages for allowing the leads of first and second windings of the electromagnetic device to be routed out of the cavity. The cavity is filled with a polyurethane potting resin, and the mounting cup, including the potted electromagnetic device, is mounted to the plate heat sink using fasteners. The mounting cup, which surrounds the electromagnetic device, in combination with the potting resin provides improved thermal transfer to the plate heat sink, as well as providing resistance to vibration and shocks.

Abstract: An improved releasable and reusable self-sealing plug for mechanically sealing a bore. A cylindrical body is formed on its outer surface to retain radial sealing means such as an O-ring. An oversize annular cap at the outer end of the body limits ingress of the plug into a bore, and a pair of opposed, flexible limbs terminating in flanges beyond the inner end of the body are compressed radially during insertion of the plug and spring out at completion of insertion to grip the inner entrance to the bore, thus holding the O-ring and plug in the bore. Insertion may be accomplished manually without the aid of tools. The plug cannot be driven out by pressure on the bore, but is easily removed by recompression of the limbs and flanges and withdrawal of the plug by, for example, needle-nose pliers. The plug may be formed inexpensively and easily by injection molding of a suitable plastic polymer.

Abstract: An assembly is provided to increase the efficiency of a vehicle engine cooling and supplementary, heat pump type cabin heating system. A flexible panel located in front of and below the front end heat exchanger can be moved between open and blocking positions. An engine cooling radiator and fan are located behind the front end heat exchanger. In cold weather heating mode, the flexible panel can be rolled to the blocking position, preventing the direct flow of cold outside ram air through the front end heat exchanger. At the same time, the fan is reversed, flowing heated air from the radiator through the front end heat exchanger, improving its efficiency.

Abstract: A sensor (210) for increasing signal time employs a resiliently deflectable member n(218) with a pressure sensitive signal element (216) and base member (222). The dampening effect of the elastic material provides a longer signal response time that allows sufficient time for a system to react without a need for additional signal conditioning circuitry. Sensor (10, 110) senses a selected path of movement for a moveable element (8) and establishes a signal indicative thereof. The limit sensor includes a resiliently deflectable member (18) for activating the signal at a predetermined station along the preselected path of movement and includes a base member (22) for supporting the resiliently deflectable member (18) and the pressure sensitive signal element (16). An actuator (20) receives the force (F) from the moveable element (8) and transfers the force (F) to the pressure sensitive signal element (16).

Abstract: A variable valve mechanism includes an elongate input shaft having a central axis. An opening cam lobe and a closing cam lobe are disposed upon the input shaft. The opening cam lobe and the closing cam lobe have a predetermined angular relation relative to each other and relative to the central axis. A rocker assembly has a first end and a second end. The rocker assembly carries a roller that engages the opening cam lobe. A first split frame member assembly is pivotally mounted upon the input shaft. The first split frame member assembly is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the rocker assembly. The first split frame member assembly is configured for being pivotally coupled at a second end thereof to a control shaft. A first split output cam is pivotally mounted upon the input shaft, and a link pivotally couples the first split output cam to the second end of the rocker assembly.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor assembly for a restraint retractor of a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes an acceleration sprocket operatively connected to the restraint retractor. The acceleration sensor assembly also includes an acceleration pawl cooperating with the acceleration sprocket to operatively cause lock up of the restraint retractor. The acceleration sensor assembly includes a mass member cooperating with the acceleration pawl to move the acceleration pawl when an acceleration force is present. The acceleration sensor assembly further includes an electromagnet assembly cooperating with the mass member to hold the mass member in a predetermined position until the acceleration force exceeds a predetermined value and the mass member moves to actuate the acceleration pawl to engage the acceleration sprocket to operatively cause lock up the restraint retractor and prevent unwinding of a belt from the restraint retractor.

Abstract: A fluid pump assembly for pumping hydraulic fluid through a controlled brake system includes a housing defining a pumping chamber. The chamber communicates with a hydraulic fluid circuit that operates the controlled brake system. A piston plunger is disposed within the chamber with a shaft affixed to the plunger. An electric coil is affixed to a casing having the shaft inserted therethrough. The coil is coaxially aligned with the shaft. The coil generates a magnetic field through an armature affixed to a distal end of the shaft disposed outside the chamber when receiving electrical current. The magnetic field draws the armature towards the casing for pumping hydraulic fluid from the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high oxygen ion conducting/oxygen storage capacity (OIC/OS) materials, a catalyst employing the OIC/OS materials, and a method for converting nitrogen oxides using the catalyst. The OIC/OS materials have stable cubic crystalline structures under oxidizing conditions (in air) up to about 1200° C. and in reducing conditions (5% hydrogen) up to about 1000° C. for 24 hours. These materials comprise up to about 95 mole percent (mole %) zirconium, up to about 50 mole % cerium and up to about 10 mole % yttrium, and optionally up to about 15 mole % of Y plus another rare earth or alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: An improved splined cam phaser includes four assemblies: a sprocket assembly, an inner hub assembly, a cover assembly, and a piston assembly. The joined assemblies provide phaser function at reduced manufacturing cost. The piston assembly is formed, at least in part, of a plastic polymer wherein the seal groove is net formed.

Abstract: A motorcycle having a system for combustion knock control. The motorcycle includes a spark generating circuit having a spark plug. The spark generating circuit produces a spark across a spark gap of the spark plug in response to a sparking signal. The motorcycle further includes an ion signal circuit that provides an ion signal indicative of an ion current being generated across the spark gap, and an analysis module electrically connected to the ion signal circuit and the spark generating circuit. The analysis module generates the sparking signal in a timed sequence, receives the ion signal from the ion signal generating circuit, measures a knock intensity within the ion signal, and modifies the timing sequence when knock is present.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for a fuel injector arrangement, in which liquid fuel is drawn from a low pressure drain source and supplied from a pump at high pressure through a main fuel supply passage to an outlet of the injector arrangement. The valve arrangement includes a pressure regulating means which, during the course of an injection, regulates the pressure of fuel being supplied to the outlet. The pressure in the main fuel supply passage is regulated to a preselected pressure, which is intermediate drain pressure and pump supply pressure.

Abstract: A processor controlled FM receiver implements a technique for reducing adjacent channel interference without requiring additional components. Initially, the technique determines whether a desired channel has interference. If so, signal information on adjacent channels is collected. The desired channel is then shifted away from one of the adjacent channels if the collected signal information indicates that only one of the adjacent channels is appreciably interfering with the desired channel.

Abstract: A piston assembly for magneto rheological (MR) fluid vibration damper affixed to a suspension system includes a piston that strokes inside a housing to dampen vibrations. The piston includes a core affixed to a piston shaft. An electric coil is affixed to the core and is coaxially aligned with the piston shaft. A sleeve circumscribes the piston core having a wall with a first inner diameter. An annular fluid passage is formed between the sleeve and the core. Fluid passes through the annular passage when the piston strokes inside the damper. The wall includes a channel having a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter. The channel reduces resistance to the piston from the MR fluid derived from temperature induced viscosity variations.

Abstract: An automobile hood including an exterior show surface and an interior surface facing away from the exterior show surface. At least one expansible gas receiving chamber in fluid communication with an inflator for generating inflation gas is disposed in underlying relation to the interior surface. The placement and expansive character of the gas receiving chamber is such that upon expansion of the gas receiving chamber, the exterior show surface and the corresponding interior surface of the hood are forced outwardly by the gas receiving chamber. The forced movement gives rise to an extended surface profile thereby leading to enhanced impact energy absorption.

Abstract: A system and method of discriminating faults in an error signal, such as that from a control input sensor, comprises a system for and method of determining allowable limits of an error signal versus time, passing the error signal through a low-pass filter, comparing output of the low-pass filter with a threshold and outputting a fault condition when the output of the low-pass filter exceeds the threshold. The time constant or constants of the low-pass filter and the threshold are selected so that a fault condition is detected when the error signal approaches the allowable limits before exceeding them.

Abstract: An automatic airflow system for a vehicle interior is provided according to the present invention whereby air is automatically directed to the regions of the interior passenger compartment where occupants are seated. This is accomplished generally by including occupant sensing devices within the vehicle interior. When the sensing devices detects the presence of a body, a closing means such as a door behind appropriate air outlet members is opened thereby allowing air to flow through these outlet members and into the vehicle interior where one or more occupants are seated.

Abstract: An improved splined cam phaser includes four assemblies: a sprocket assembly, an inner hub assembly, a cover assembly, and a piston assembly. The joined assemblies provide phaser function at reduced manufacturing cost. The cover assembly, at least in part, is stamped from sheet stock and is net formed to receive a seal.

Abstract: A toggle switch (1), notably a window regulator switch in a motor vehicle, comprises a switch housing (2) in which a spring-biased toggle lever (12) is arranged in at least one switching limit position and a dead-center position. The toggle lever (12) comprises at least one switch-operating lever portion (25) that actuates at least one switching assembly (20), the toggle lever (12) featuring a center projection in which a spring-loaded catch unit (18) is fitted which interacts with a cam curve (9) contingent on the position of the toggle lever (12). To reduce the overall volume of the switch housing (2) and compensate for construction-related tolerances, the switch housing comprises a receiving part (5) that is integral with it, in which the toggle lever (12) is fitted, and in which at the same time the cam curve (9) is integrated, with the receiving part (5) enclosing the at least one switching assembly (20) and the at least one switch-operating lever portion (25).

Abstract: A device and method for transferring steering responsibility from a first electro-mechanical actuator to a second electro-mechanical actuator comprises a cylinder and a first piston slideably disposed within the cylinder. A second piston is slideably disposed within an interior chamber of the first piston. A first locking sleeve is disposed within the interior chamber, a second locking sleeve is disposed within the interior chamber in opposition to the first locking sleeve, a first spring is disposed within the interior chamber interposed between the first locking sleeve and the first piston, and a second spring is disposed within the interior chamber interposed between the second locking sleeve and the first piston. The pistons and the locking sleeves also each include at least one groove disposed therein. Snap rings may be disposed within the grooves. A damping mechanism may also be incorporated into the structure of the device.

Abstract: A gear reduction mechanism 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.