Abstract: A HVAC system of a motor vehicle includes a film having openings defined therein and moveable between open and closed positions. The film regulates airflow by opening and closing apertures defined in a housing of the HVAC system. The film is disposed in a film valve assembly containing first and second rollers that wind and unwind the film. The film includes a substrate that includes a fiber selected from the group of polyester-based fibers, glass-based fibers, and combinations thereof. An elastomeric layer is disposed on the substrate layer. The substrate also includes a silicone layer disposed on the elastomeric layer for minimizing noise created as the film moves between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: (57) A roll control system (20) for installation between axially aligned wheels of a motor vehicle, the roll control system comprising a torsion bar (22); a damper (24) attached to one end (28) of the torsion bar and attachable to one of the wheels; and attachment means (25) attached to the other end (29) of the torsion bar and attachable to the other wheel; wherein the damper comprises an axially extending cylindrical housing (52); a piston (34) slidably mounted inside the housing; a piston rod (58) connected to the piston, extending out of one end (55) of the housing, and movable in an axial direction relative to the housing; a floating piston (35) slidably mounted in the housing between the piston and the other end of the housing; a compensation chamber (37) between the floating piston and the other end (54) of the housing containing a first pressurised fluid; a compression chamber (30) between the floating piston and the piston containing a second pressurised fluid; a rebound chamber (32) between the pist

Abstract: A sensor assembly for measuring force along an axis (F) comprises an inductance coil extending around the axis (F) for establishing a loop of magnetic flux looping axially through the coil and extending around the axis (F) to define a donut shaped ring of magnetic flux surrounding the axis (F). A core of magnetostrictive material provides a primary path for the magnetic flux in a first portion of the loop of magnetic flux and a magnetic carrier provides a return path for magnetic flux in a second portion of the loop of magnetic flux as the magnetic flux circles the coil through the core and the carrier. A first interface extends radially between the core and the carrier whereby the core and the carrier are urged together at the interface in response to a force applied parallel to the axis (F). Various embodiments or combinations of the core and carrier are illustrated in FIGS. 3–7.

Abstract: A normally seated adult occupant of a vehicle seat is distinguished from a cinched car seat occupant based on the static seat force and first and second sets of identified dynamic characteristics that are respectively correlative of a normally seated adult and a cinched car seat. Confidence levels are assigned to the static seat force and each of the identified dynamic characteristics, and overall confidence levels for the two classifications are determined based on the assigned confidence levels. The overall confidence level for the adult occupant classification is compared with the overall confidence level for the cinched car seat classification, and the occupant is classified based on the highest overall confidence level.

Abstract: A brake system including a brake pad shaped and located to apply pressure to a brake rotor and an actuator shaped and located to apply pressure to the brake pad to cause the brake pad to apply pressure to the rotor. The system further includes a sensor material which varies in resistance when the actuator applies pressure to the brake pad, wherein the sensor material include an electrically insulating material with electrically conductive particles distributed therein. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the sensor material to detect a change in resistance of the sensor material.

Abstract: An overmolded electronic assembly includes a substrate, a plurality of surface mount technology (SMT) integrated circuit (IC) chips, a plurality of heat sinks, a backplate and an overmold material. The substrate includes a plurality of conductive traces formed on a first surface of the substrate. The IC chips each include an active front side and a backside and the IC chips are electrically coupled to one or more of the traces. The heat sinks are each in thermal contact with the backside of a different one of the IC chips and are independent of each other. The backplate is attached to a second surface of the substrate, which is opposite the first surface of the substrate. The overmold material covers the first surface of the substrate and maintains the heat sinks in thermal contact with an associated one of the IC chips.

Abstract: A vehicular communications network is disclosed. The network comprises a communications channel for propagating a signal therealong; a nodal communications system; and a signal coupling system coupled to the communications channel and to the nodal communications system for coupling a signal between the communications channel and the nodal communications system.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve useful in vehicle fuel delivery systems includes a spring biased, concave conical flow directing surface and a spherical valve seat.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a high voltage (HV) terminal to which a high voltage end of the secondary winding is attached. The ignition apparatus further includes an electrically conductive cup configured to surround the high voltage terminal when the secondary winding spool is inserted in the case. The high voltage terminal has one end that comes into engagement with an inner annular surface of the cup. Electromagnetic interference suppression is provided by a resistor disposed between the cup and a high voltage connector assembly that connects to a spark plug. The resistor is formed of electrically conductive plastic material.

Abstract: The invention provides a snap-in capsule for releasibly connecting a steering column to a vehicle. The snap-in capsule includes a metal insert for reducing creep of the steering column with respect to the vehicle. The metal insert has top and bottom surfaces and a slot extending along an axis for receiving a bolt. The snap-in capsule also includes a plastic capsule body for providing a mechanical fuse between the metal insert and the steering column. The plastic capsule body has a first snap-fit portion being deformable to receive the metal insert and fix the plastic capsule body and the metal insert with respect to one another.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper including a tube filled with working liquid which contains a slidable piston assembly attached to a piston rod. The piston assembly includes a piston having a compression valve arrangement to control the flow of working liquid passing through the piston during the compression stroke of the damper. The compression valve arrangement includes a stack of resilient deflectable disks placed on one axial side of the piston and covering compression flow passages in the piston, a spring, spring seat guide and a spring retainer, the spring mounted between the spring seat and the spring retainer. The spring biases the axially slidable spring seat against the stack of disks to normally close the compression flow passages, and the stack of disks is held by the spring seat. The spring seat guide may also be provided with rebound flow passages linked with flow passages in the piston.

Abstract: A connector assembly (10) is provided including a first connector (12) and a second connector (14) configured to mateably engage the first connector (12). The first connector (12) includes a housing (16), a conductor assembly (18) positioned within the housing and projecting from housing, and a resilient seal member (30) enclosing an interface between the housing (16) and the portion of the conductor assembly projecting from the housing. The second connector (14) includes an outer contact (60), an inner contact (62) nested within a portion of the outer contact (60), and a housing (64) containing the inner and outer contacts. Conductors of the conductor assembly (18) of the first connector (12) engage the outer (60) and inner (62) contacts of the second connector (14). Another resilient seal member (45) includes a flexible skirt (50) formed at an end portion thereof.

Abstract: A vehicular steering column assembly (16) comprises a support bracket (26) which is joined to an outer, non-rotating sleeve (22). A release capsule (30) is releasably joined to a mounting surface (28) of the support bracket (26) via a plurality of spherical bodies (56) whose protruding crowns (52) are seated in corresponding longitudinally-extending furrows (54) in the release capsule (30). Upon the application of sufficient force to the steering column (16), such as during a collision, the support bracket (26) is urged out of engagement with the release capsule (30) with the respective furrows (54) sliding over the crowns (52). The sliding engagement between the crowns (52) and the furrows (54) can be adjusted to establish a highly predictable and consistent release force and which is capable of increasing the frequency value for the steering column (16).

Abstract: The present invention provides a receiver for use in a SDAR system, the receiver including a receiving unit having satellite signal detection means for detecting a first transmit signal transmitted from a first communication satellite and a second transmit signal transmitted from a second communication satellite, the first transmit signal produced when the transmitter modulates a primary data stream with a secondary data stream on a first carrier wave associated with the first communication satellite and the second transmit signal produced when the transmitter modulates the primary and secondary data streams on a second carrier wave associated with the second communication satellite; and at least one demodulator coupled to the receiving unit and configured to demodulate the at least one of the first and the second transmit signals.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover made of a metal material adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank having a fuel reservoir disposed therein and an insert molded to the cover to form a plurality of members to allow components to be attached thereto. The insert is integral, unitary, and one-piece.

Abstract: The invention provides a vending machine for cooling food products. The vending machine includes a housing defining an interior. The vending machine also includes a plurality of holding members substantially thermally isolated from one another and disposed in the interior. Each of the plurality of holding members includes inner and outer hollow members telescopically engaged with one another to define an inner cavity with an opening operable to communicate an individual food product and an outer cavity with an inlet and an outlet spaced from the inlet. The vending machine also includes a refrigeration system disposed outside of the interior and fluidly communicating individually with each of the outer cavities to cool each of the inner cavities.

Abstract: A process for producing a circuit component having a double-sided circuit device between a pair of substrates. The process entails depositing a solder material on contact areas on surfaces of the substrates, placing a first of the substrates within a cavity in a receptacle, and then placing a lead member on the substrate so that the lead member is supported by the receptacle and a portion of the lead member is aligned with a portion of the contact area of the substrate. A fixture is then placed on the lead member and over the substrate so that the fixture is supported by the receptacle. After aligning the circuit device with the contact area of the remaining substrate, the substrate-device assembly is placed in an aperture in the fixture so that a surface of the device electrically contacts the contact area of the first substrate and the opposite surface of the device electrically contacts the contact area of the second substrate. The resulting fixtured assembly then undergoes reflow.

Abstract: An antenna system electronically searches for a satellite signal by beginning at the current pointing angle of an antenna. The antenna system sweeps a tuner frequency of the receiver by electronically commanding the receiver to tune to different transponder frequencies. By scanning through transponder frequencies, the antenna system can locate a satellite signal without mechanical movement. As a result, the satellite signal can be acquired more quickly than in some conventional systems.

Abstract: A filter assembly having a filter element that is self positioning into a preferential filtering position upon insertion into a tank which will contain the medium to be filtered (e.g., gasoline, oil, etc.).

Abstract: A telescopic tripot universal joint comprises an outer drive member having three longitudinal drive channels which include two opposing concave side surfaces, an inner drive member having three radial trunnions having a radially outward facing semi-spherical surface for tiltably mounting a drive ball assembly which has a bearing train disposed radially between an inner ball tiltably engaged to the trunnion and an outer ball having a tread face which directly opposes the concave side surfaces of the drive channels. The ball assembly being free to wobble about a Z-axis wherein the assembly pivots about an X-axis disposed laterally to the outer drive member and pivots about a Y-axis disposed longitudinally to the outer drive member. The channel carries a guide rail which extends longitudinally lengthwise to the channel and projects radially inward in order to contact the outer ball when the ball assembly pivots about the X-axis, i.e., tilts relative to the axis of the outer drive member.