Abstract: An improved magnetorheological fluid damper is provided which effectively provides a smooth transition, without a sharp break in the damper force/velocity curve, between very low damping forces near zero damper velocity to higher damping forces at higher piston velocities while maintaining desirable maximum force levels. The damper includes a piston assembly, including a magnet assembly and a flow gap extending through the piston assembly to permit fluid flow between the chambers. The force/velocity optimization feature includes a groove or passage open to the flow gap, positioned in series with a part of the flow gap in a magnetic circuit generated by the magnet assembly and dimensioned/sized to permit fluid flowing the passage to experience a magnetorheological effect less than a magnetorheological effect experienced by fluid flowing through the flow gap but not through the groove. Preferably, the passage is formed in an inner annular surface of a flux ring positioned around a piston core.

Abstract: A baffle for use in an accumulator-dehydrator used in an air conditioning system having at least a first and a second evaporator and a compressor interconnected by refrigerant lines containing refrigerant. The accumulator-dehydrator first and second inlets all connected to the evaporators and an outlet is connected to the compressor through the refrigerant lines. The baffle is mounted inside the accumulator-dehydrator at either the first or second inlet. The baffle has a housing with an opening to allow liquid refrigerant and oil discharged from one of the evaporators to enter the accumulator-dehydrator and prevent liquid refrigerant and oil from within the accumulator-dehydrator from re-entering the inlet.

Abstract: In an angle-based crankshaft position sensing system, an electrical circuit is provided for also sensing the direction of rotation of the crankshaft. A slotted target wheel is coupled to the crankshaft and a single dual-element MR sensor is juxtaposed with the target wheel. The elements generate respective detection signals when a slot passes by the elements, with the position of the slot being indicated as being directly under the sensor at the point in time when the detection signals intersect each other. Also, square waves are generated for each detection signal, and when the magnitude of the second square wave is non-zero when the falling edge of the first square wave occurs, a clockwise rotation is indicated. On the other hand, if the magnitude of the second square wave is zero when the falling edge of the first square wave occurs, a counterclockwise rotation is indicated.

Abstract: Advantageously, the present invention is directed to a membrane horn switch assembly designed so that a steering wheel cover can expand or contract due to extremes in temperature without the unintentional closing of a circuit used to activate a remote horn. Also the membrane horn switch is designed so that a space between concentrators on either the steering wheel cover or a reaction plate is minimized thereby requiring less exerted pressure on the steering wheel cover to actuate the switch. Additionally, the steering wheel cover is designed so that a greater deflection in the cover results when using the same amount of pressure as was previously exerted on the cover.

Abstract: A resistor seal composition useful in resistor spark plugs, comprises glass, at least one metal oxide, at least one filler material, and a branched or straight chained zirconium carboxylate. The glass comprises a strontium borate glass and/or a borosilicate glass. Metal oxides include aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, and zirconium oxide. Filler materials include silicon dioxide and mullite.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrical component heat dissipation and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for dissipating heat from a power control module. In one embodiment the invention is a power control module having a housing and an electrical connection. A thermally conductive material is placed between the power control module and a surface of an evaporator core with a first side of the thermally conductive material in contact with the power control module and a second side in contact with the surface of the evaporator core. The thermally conductive material conducts heat from the power control module to the surface of the evaporator core.

Abstract: A solar-ray antenna that includes a tuning element asymmetrically positioned on the windshield of a vehicle a certain distance from a multi-wire bundle connected to a rear-view mirror of the vehicle. An impedance matching element of the antenna is spaced a certain distance from the vehicle body so as to provide proper impedance matching for the tuning element. The wire bundle extends through a channel that is mounted to an inside surface of the windshield. A grounding connector is positioned relative to the wire bundle and is coupled to ground so that FM signals in the wire bundle are coupled to ground. The grounding connector can be positioned over the wire bundle and attached to the vehicle roof sheet metal. In an alternate embodiment, the grounding connector is an L-shaped conductive frit formed on the windshield, and having a horizontal portion positioned between the glass and the urethane windshield seal and a vertical portion positioned between the channel and the windshield.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a plug connector body that has a pair of metal terminals disposed within a pair of laterally disposed terminal cavities and a unitary metal shorting clip disposed within a shorting clip cavity. The unitary metal shorting clip has a single, generally V-shaped cantilevered spring arm at one end that contacts the pair of metal terminals when the electrical connector is disconnected from a mating electrical connector. The shorting clip is retained within the plug connector body by a mounting portion engaging a support shelf within the shorting clip cavity. The support shelf includes a clip rest which pre-loads the shorting clip and limits the spring force of the spring arm which is lifted off the terminals by a cam of the mating electrical connector.

Abstract: A novel and improved magnetorheological fluid damper is provided which effectively secures a flux ring to a piston core in a manner which prevents relative axial and radial movement between the flux ring and the core throughout operation while minimizing the size of the piston assembly yet providing effective damping. Several connector devices are disclosed for both axially and radially securing the flux ring relative to the piston core at one end of the piston assembly in a simple manner without increasing the length of the piston assembly. The connector device may include an outer portion brazed to the flux ring, an inner portion connected to the piston core, bridge portions extending between the outer and inner portions, flow passages formed between the bridge portions and an inlet cavity formed adjacent an annular flow gap to permit unimpeded, enhanced laminar flow through the flow gap by improving the damping effect.

Abstract: A method of validating a leak detection test for a fuel tank in a vehicle includes the steps of determining a vacuum decay rate of a fuel vapor in the fuel tank and dividing the vacuum decay rate into a set of adjacent segments distributed over a series of consecutive time intervals. The method also includes the steps of determining a slope of the segments, determining if a difference between two consecutive slopes of the segments meets a predetermined criteria, and validating the leak detection test if the difference meets the predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A desmodromic cam driven variable valve timing (VVT) mechanism includes dual rotary opening and closing cams for actuating a rocker mechanism that drives valve actuating oscillating cams. The dual rotary cam drive positively actuates the rocker mechanism in both valve opening and valve closing directions and thus avoids the need to provide return springs as required in prior cam driven mechanisms to bias the mechanisms toward a valve closed position. A variable ratio slide and slot control lever drive as well as a back force limiting worm drive for the control shaft are combined with the desmodromic cam mechanism to provide additional system advantages.

Abstract: A method of improving the operating characteristics of an internal combustion engine equipped with electronic throttle control employs variable cam timing to vary the phasing of the intake valves and/or exhaust valves so as to achieve lower feed gas emissions and improved fuel economy while delivering as closely as possible the desired torque. The method can be implemented using a fuel-lead strategy or an air-lead strategy. Whenever a change is requested in the amount of torque, the method responds by adjusting the amount of fuel flow, the spark timing, the position of the throttle and/or the positions of the intake valves and/or the exhaust valves so as to deliver the desired torque. The method adjusts those operating parameters in a way that improves the ability of the engine to deliver the desired torque, produce less feed gas emissions, idle more stably, and consume less fuel.

Abstract: A modular vane cam phaser assembly for controllably and continuously varying the rotational phase between a camshaft and the crankshaft of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The module includes a housing mountable to the front of an engine head, the housing supporting on an outer surface thereof a programmably-controllable spool valve for directing pressurized oil to an oil commutator extending into both the housing and a vane phaser wherein a rotor is bolted to the camshaft and a stator is bolted to a timing sprocket. The oil is distributed by the spool valve to opposite sides of the rotor vanes in response to signals generated by an induction cam rotation sensor and by other engine components and processed by a powertrain control module to advance or retard the opening of intake and/or exhaust valves in the engine. The housing is provided with internal passages for supplying oil from an engine port to the spool valve. Preferably, the oil is filtered by a thimble screen as it enters the housing.

Abstract: A hard tonneau cover is pivotally attached to each side wall of a truck cargo box having a tail gate by a hinge assembly. Each hinge assembly includes a four bar linkage and a drive mechanism. The four bar linkage consists of a tonneau bracket that is secured to the tonneau cover, a mounting bracket, a hinge link that is pivotally attached to the tonneau bracket at one end by a first pivot and to the mounting bracket at an opposite end by a second pivot, and a control link that is pivotally attached to the tonneau bracket at one end by a third pivot and to the mounting bracket at an opposite end by a fourth pivot. The drive mechanism has a pivot arm that is pivotally attached to the mounting bracket by a fifth pivot, and a drive arm that is pivotally attached to the pivot arm by a sixth pivot and pivotally attached to the tonneau bracket by a seventh pivot so that the tonneau cover and bracket are moved between a closed position and an open position by rotation of the pivot arm.

Abstract: A smart actuator (10), includes a mounting base (12), a solenoid element (14), and a pressure sensor element (16). The solenoid element (14) and the pressure sensor element (16) are in electrical communication with a remote control element (17) through a wire harness (18). The remote control element (17) sends a signal to the solenoid element (14) to adjust hydraulic fluid pressure. The pressure sensor (16) reports back to the remote control element (17) the value of hydraulic fluid pressure such that a closed-loop system in formed where correct hydraulic fluid pressure is rapidly and accurately attained.

Abstract: A high density wirebond connector assembly (10), including an enclosure (12), a circuit board (14), a high density connector (16), a connector housing (18), and a plurality of nail contacts (20). The circuit board (14) is comprised of a plurality of laminate layers (26) and rows of wirebond pads (28) positioned on the laminate layers (26). A plurality of wirebonds (32) run between individual nail contacts (20) and individual wirebond pads (28). By increasing the density of the high density connector (16), and decreasing the distance between the wirebond pads (28) and the nail contacts (20), a smaller, lighter, cheaper, and vibrationally resistant high density connector assembly (10) is provided.

Abstract: A direction of rotation detection apparatus and method using the outputs of a single differential sequential sensor employing two matched magnetostatic elements, ie., either Hall elements or magnetoresistors (MRs), to extract direction of rotation information from the passage of a single tooth edge of a target wheel. The two matched sensing elements are spaced in close proximity to each other, preferably on the order preferably of about 1 mm to about 2 mm apart, in the circumferential direction of the target wheel and generate two identical angularly offset signals from the passage of a single tooth edge of a target wheel which are input to a signal conditioning circuit. Within the signal conditioning circuit, the two sensor signals are differentially amplified to produce a differential signal whereby the polarity of the differential signal enables one of two comparators with respective reference voltages.

Abstract: A disc brake system comprises a hub and a disc. The hub is mounted for rotation about a central rotational axis and the disc is mounted on the hub to rotate therewith. The disc is slidable on the hub in a direction which is parallel to said central rotational axis. The system also comprises a plurality of leaf springs which are mounted between the hub and the disc, the leaf springs acting to apply radially-directed forces to the disc. The leaf springs are arranged so that they extend tangentially of the hub when the disc is not mounted on the hub but are deformed by the presence of the disc.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic actuator for a motor vehicle brake-by-wire brake system including a housing, a piston bore in the housing, a T-shaped piston in the piston bore, and an electric motor connected to the piston through a speed reducer. The T-shaped piston includes a disc-shaped head in the piston bore and a tubular stem perpendicular slidable in and out of the piston bore through a sealed guide in the bottom of the piston bore. The top side of the piston head opposite the stem constitutes a large effective area of the piston for rapidly expelling a relatively large volume of fluid from the piston bore in a low pressure interval of operation the actuator. When the fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeds a transition pressure, a transition valve opens a bypass passage to the piston bore behind the piston head so that the same fluid pressure reacts against the bottom side of the piston head around the stem.

Abstract: An antenna system for a vehicle radio integrated with the defogger heating elements in a window that provides enhanced impedance matching without requiring lumped matching components. The antenna system includes a vehicle window, a conductive grid embedded in the vehicle window and having a plurality of horizontal and generally parallel conductive elements, and first and second bus bars connecting the grid at opposite ends. The antenna system has first and second vertical conductive elements embedded in the vehicle window and arranged substantially orthogonal to the horizontal conductive elements. Tuning elements are coupled to each of the first and second vertical conductive elements and are substantially orthogonal thereto. The tuning elements have a length selected so as to substantially match characteristic impedance of an RF signal path. The horizontal heating elements are engaged for heating the vehicle window during a heating operation, and also serves to receive radio signals for the radio.