Abstract: An improved vehicle active brake control based on an estimate of vehicle yaw rate and slip angle, wherein the estimate is based on a weighted average of two yaw rate values developed with two different estimation techniques. In general, the first estimate of yaw rate is based on the relative velocity of the un-driven wheels, and the second estimate is based on a measure of lateral acceleration. Confidence levels in each estimate are determined and used to form a third or preliminary yaw rate estimate based on a weighted average of the first and second estimates, and the third estimate is supplied to a closed-loop nonlinear dynamic observer which develops the final estimate of yaw rate, along with estimates of lateral velocity and side-slip angle.

Abstract: An automotive battery is maintained in a tray mounted to the vehicle. The tray has a hinge mechanism in which a torsion rod is pivotally mounted. The torsion rod has a holddown portion which engages a complementary component on the battery to hold the battery in the desired operating location. A latch member on the tray cooperates with the torsion rod to restrain the torsion rod in a latched condition such that a continuous holddown force is exerted on the battery.

Abstract: A monotube suspension damper including a cylinder tube having a fluid chamber and a gas chamber, a piston dividing the fluid chamber into a compression chamber and a rebound chamber, a primary fluid flow path across the piston including flow control valves which throttle fluid flow, a secondary fluid flow path across the piston parallel to the primary flow path including flow control valves which throttle fluid flow, and a tubular connecting rod on the cylinder tube connected to the piston. A valve spool is supported on the piston for linear translation between closed and open positions blocking and unblocking the secondary flow path. A control rod inside of the connecting rod is disposed between the valve spool and a flexible diaphragm exposed to pneumatic pressure in an expansible load leveling chamber between sprung and unsprung masses of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming an array of submicron-sized wires in a host body. In the method, the vapor of a metal, such as bismuth, is caused to flow upward through a horizontal refractory plate having many through holes, 200 nanometers or less in diameter, until all foreign material is excluded from the holes and then the plate is cooled from the top side to progressively and simultaneously condense said vapor to form said wires in the holes.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for use in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, said catalytic converter including a housing having a cavity formed therein and having a gas inlet end and a gas outlet end, a pair of end members, each of said end members having an opening for allowing exhaust gases to pass therethrough, one of said end members sealingly connected to the gas inlet end of said housing and the other of said end members sealingly connected to the gas outlet end of said housing, a catalyst coated substrate located within said cavity and having a gas inlet face and a gas outlet face, a first mat of material which is expandable in an axially direction when heated positioned between said housing and a first portion of the catalyst coated substrate, and a second mat of material which is expandable in a radial direction surrounding a second portion of the catalyst coated substrate.

Abstract: A disc style cross groove universal joint including an outer joint member open on front and back sides having a plurality of inward facing outer ball grooves and an inner joint member inside of the outer joint member having a plurality of outward facing inner ball grooves. The inner and outer ball grooves define crossed pairs having a bearing ball therebetween. In a center position of the inner joint member in the outer joint member, the bearing balls are evenly angularly spaced. A cage has a plurality of windows for the bearing balls. An outboard side edge of each cage window is separated from the center of the bearing ball therein by a long span dimension in the center position of the inner joint member. An inboard side edge of each cage window is separated from the center of the bearing ball therein by a short span dimension in the center position of the inner joint member.

Abstract: A backlighting system for a liquid crystal display (LCD) unit includes a first number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to produce saturated radiation and a second number of LEDs configured to produce desaturated radiation, wherein the saturated and desaturated radiation is combined to form a resultant desaturated radiation of a target color. In a preferred embodiment, the colors and intensities of the first and second numbers of LEDs are chosen to produce a blue-green color of a typical vacuum fluorescent (VF) display unit, whereby the LCD unit may be used to simulated a typical VF display. By utilizing the concepts of the present invention, known dispersive effects associated with the LCD unit are minimized, and a substantially uniform light output from the LCD unit results regardless of a viewing angle relative to the normal of the viewing side of the LCD unit.

Abstract: A vehicle fan shroud and component cooling module (24) includes a fan (44) mounted within a fan ring (32) between the radiator (26) and condenser (28). Pressurized air, either positively pressurized (downstream of fan (44)), negatively pressurized (upstream of fan (44)), or both, is routed from within the fan ring (32) and to the component (22) to cool it. Since the air has not yet passed the radiator (26), it is not substantially hotter than regular ambient air. Unlike rammed ambient air, it is pressurized as long as the fan (44) is turning. It therefore provides better cooling than either rammed ambient air, or pressurized air picked up downstream of the radiator (26).

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling the current through an inductive load powered by a unipolar power source. The current through the inductive load is controlled by three electronic switches and a subcircuit. The switches provide three different voltage levels across the inductive load. The closing of the first switch supplies positive voltage across the load, thereby increasing the load current. Opening of the first switch and closing of the third switch disconnects the power source from the load and short circuits the inductive load resulting in zero voltage across the load. Opening of the third and first switches directs the inductive current through the subcircuit, developing a negative voltage across the load and thereby rapidly decreasing the inductive current. By controlling the load voltage between a positive and zero voltage and between a negative and zero voltage, the load current is changed quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing an AC cylindrical electromagnetic ignition coil core (28) comprising:filling a cylindrical holding container (20) with powdered metal;placing the filled container into an electromagnetic field and compacting, in the radial direction, the powder in the container by subjecting the powder to the electromagnetic field; andrecovering the compacted ignition coil core (28).

Abstract: A radially adjustable guide for a flexible line, a cable or tape, of an automotive regulator assembly is presented. The guide has a longitudinal channel disposed therein for receiving and guiding the flexible line, wherein the guide slidably captures the flexible line within the channel. The guide may be tubular. Alternatively, the guide may include a base portion; a pair of resilient arms extending upwardly from the base portion, defining the channel; and extensions extending inwardly from upper ends of the resilient arms for slidably capturing the flexible line in the channel. Additionally, the base portion of the guide may include a planar outer surface.

Abstract: A self-aligning latch for a closure panel includes a base member adapted to be attached to either one of a closure panel or vehicle structure and an attaching flange extending transversely along a side of the base member, such that the attaching flange includes an alignment slot. The self-aligning latch also includes an alignment plate pivotally mounted to the attaching flange. The self-aligning latch further includes a striker receiving member operatively mounted to the alignment plate and having a striker lead-in portion for receiving a striker attached to either one of the vehicle structure or the closure panel. The self-aligning latch includes an alignment member disposed within the alignment slot for positioning the alignment plate relative to the attaching flange to align the closure panel relative to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: An automotive battery is positioned in a tray secured with the vehicle. The tray and the battery have cooperating extensions and projections which hold the battery in position on the tray. A pivotally mounted handle on the battery engages in notches on a vertical stanchion formed on the tray. The battery is secured in the tray through the cooperation of the extensions and projections and the handle and the stanchion. The handle has a pair of spaced notches in which the battery cables are secured to prevent relative movement between the battery and the cable terminal connections.

Abstract: A miniaturized female electrical terminal (100) having single piece construction which provides positive locking in a sealed system type connector and ability to visually inspect for manufacturing defects, even wherein the outer barrel diameter is less than 1.80 millimeters. The female electrical terminal includes a terminal portion (102), a cable connection portion (104) and an intermediate neck (106) located therebetween. The terminal portion includes an inner barrel (108) which is concentrically located within an outer barrel (110) and connected thereto by a strap (116). A forward end portion of the inner barrel is composed of a first terminal arm (112), a second terminal arm (114) and a portion of the strap, which are annularly arranged to provide a three-point female terminal contact (118). The cable connection portion includes a pair of wire crimp wings (120), a pair of insulation jacket crimp wings (122) at an enlarged diameter area (124), and a neck transition area (126).

Abstract: This invention offers advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a glove box including a door latch assembly which is self-contained and latches within itself eliminating the need for a striker and therefore reduces the stack-up disadvantages associated with the prior art. In an exemplary embodiment, the glove box according to the present invention generally includes a storage bin, a glove box door base portion, a glove box door outer cover, and a latch assembly. The latch assembly generally includes a handle, a connector plate, and a pair of latch arms, all of which cooperate with one another. Generally, the latch arms keep the glove box door latched by penetrating the storage bin through openings formed on side of the storage bin and openings formed in the glove box door base portion. The glove box door of the present invention has a number of integral molded features which guide the latch arms laterally, up and down, and forward and backward during operation thereof.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer alloy compositions and a process for preparing the compositions are provided comprising a blend of polypropylene, uncrosslinked ethylene copolymer, ionomeric copolymer of ethylene and .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 carboxylic acid, crosslinking agent, and silicone elastomer. The compositions may further comprise particulate filler, color concentrate and/or coloring pigment. The compositions are particularly useful for forming interior skin sheets for applications where low gloss and high scuff resistance are desired without the need for painting. A one step process for preparing moldable sheets from the thermoplastic polymer alloy compositions by in-line compounding and reactive extrusion is also provided which eliminates separate compounding and pelletizing processing steps as precursors to the sheet extrusion process.

Abstract: A battery terminal cover is provided for a battery in an automotive vehicle. The battery terminal cover includes a base portion operatively connected to a terminal lead and a retention portion disposed within the base portion to allow the battery terminal cover to be engaged after the terminal lead is fastened to the terminal of the battery to retain the base portion in a closed position over the terminal.

Abstract: An improved reverse voltage protection circuit that protects sensitive electronic devices from damage due to both reversed battery connections and source voltage interruptions. An N-channel protection FET is inversely connected between the negative terminal of the protected device and ground, and the conduction of the protection FET is extended during a reverse transient protection period following interruption of the source voltage. A capacitor connected across the gate-to-source circuit of the protection FET is charged from the source voltage through a low impedance charging circuit including a diode to prevent the capacitor from discharging, and is discharged during an interruption of the source voltage through a high impedance discharging circuit connected in parallel with the charging circuit.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a battery terminal post connector comprising a device which makes direct contact with a storage battery terminal (post) extending outwardly from a battery case. The terminal post connector includes a conductor plate and a sleeve which is received within an opening formed in the conductor plate. The sleeve is secured to the conductor plate by conventional techniques, such as welding. The sleeve comprises a body having a plurality of fingers and a plurality of slots, wherein each finger is defined by a pair of slots. The sleeve has a central opening which receives a tapered post terminal extending from the battery case. A portion of an outer surface of the sleeve is threaded and is intended to threadingly engage a fastener, wherein threading the fastener to the sleeve results in the sleeve being intimately seated against the post terminal.

Abstract: A restraint assembly includes an inflator for generating inflation gas. The restraint assembly includes an upper cushion portion and an inflatable stiffening device extending generally longitudinally across a lower edge of the cushion portion for providing longitudinal tension and lateral stability to the restraint assembly. Preferably, the stiffening device is tubular. Also preferably, the restraint assembly includes a tensioning device which at least partially surrounds the stiffening device and places longitudinal tension on the stiffening device when inflated. The tensioning device may take the form of a strap or cord that is spiral-wrapped around the stiffening device. The stiffening device preferably includes an inboard stiffening wall and an outboard stiffening wall. The tensioning device may preferably be zig-zag wrapped back and forth across the outboard wall of the stiffening device for preventing occupant interaction with the tensioning device on the inboard side of the stiffening device.