Abstract: A vacuum booster includes a housing defining a control volume in which a movable diaphragm separates the control volume into an apply chamber and a vacuum chamber. A power piston extends through and engages the diaphragm and has an axial bore containing a valve assembly that controls a diaphragm pressure differential across the diaphragm. The power piston drives an output rod in the forward direction. The output rod has a rearward portion exposed to pressure within the vacuum chamber and a forward face exposed to atmospheric pressure. When the pressure within vacuum chamber is less than atmospheric, a piston pressure differential across the power piston provides a return force in the rearward direction to the power piston.

Abstract: A wobble joint particularly useful for supporting a wash plate in a wash basket of an automatic washing appliance includes inner and outer races formed with mating part-spherical surfaces having common centers of curvature about a longitudinal axis of the joint. Anti-rotation structure acts between the inner and outer races to prevent relative rotation of the races about the longitudinal axis, and cooperates with the part-spherical surfaces to restrict the races to two degrees of tilting movement about respective tilt axes disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to one another, such that one of the races is thereby supported for wobbling movement relative to the other of the races. In a washing appliance application, the wash plate is fixed to the outer race and wobbles relative to the inner race.

Abstract: Disk brake friction element mounting system provides spaced mounting elements or guides for the friction elements, the spacing of the mounting elements permitting at least one friction element to be located in its working position by insertion edgewise through the space between the mounting elements without removing the brake discs or disc. The friction element is supported and guided by laterally extending shoulder having downwardly facing receptors for the mounting elements. In this way friction element insertion and removal for servicing purposes is greatly simplified.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for providing reformate into an engine exhaust stream including aftertreatment devices such as a particulate trap and an NOx filter regenerable by hydrogen-rich reformate injected into the engine exhaust ahead of the aftertreatment devices. A pump pressurizes a hydrocarbon catalytic reformer, and a three-way valve for dividing the reformate injected into the engine exhaust. The reformer draws oxygen from the engine exhaust rather than ambient air as in the prior art. Thus, the only pressure drop that the pump/reformer system must overcome is within the reformate supply system between the reformer take-off point and the reformate entry points. In a configuration wherein the exhaust is taken off ahead of the inline particulate trap, a separate particulate filter is preferably incorporated into the reformer supply line.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a deflectable dielectric mat and a flexible printed circuit that wraps around the major surfaces of the dielectric mat to define upper and lower conductor strips that overlap in a direction perpendicular to the dielectric mat. Overlapping regions of the conductor strips define an array of capacitive load cells distributed over the seating surface. A connector stub depending from the flexible printed circuit couples the conductor strips to an external circuit that measures the capacitance of the various load cells to determine occupant weight and weight distribution.

Abstract: A filler metal including not more than about 0.1% C, not more than about 1.0% Si; not more than about 0.8% Mn; from about 10.5% to about 13.0% Cr; from about 0.65% to about 4.0% Ni; from about 10(% C) to about 1.5% Ti; not more than about 0.5% each of N, S, P, Mo, Nb, Cu, V, or Co; and balance essentially Fe, wherein a weld test pad of the filler metal contains a microstructure comprising martensite. A method of attaching together two components using a modified filler metal which forms a weld containing an amount of martensite sufficient to increase the volume of the weld thereby at least partially offsetting shrinkage of the weld upon cooling, and articles produced thereby.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is gas-producing agents for gas generators which contain, as nitrogen-containing compound (fuel), a compound from the group tetrazole, triazole, triazine, cyanic acid, urea, their derivatives or salts thereof, as oxidants, compounds from the group of the peroxides, nitrates, chlorates or perchlorates, and also combustion moderators which are capable of influencing, by heterogeneous or homogeneous catalysis, the combustion and its rate, as well as, optionally, additions capable of affecting the proportion of the toxic gases.

Abstract: A drive circuit (20a,20b) for an injector arrangement having at least one piezeoelectric injector (12a,12b) is described.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and system for transmitting two levels of data in a hierarchical transmission schema. A first modulated signal is generated based on first input. A second modulation signal is generated based on a second input that has a data rate that is a fraction of the data rate of the first modulated signal. The second modulation signal has known instances where the second modulation signal has no energy. In a system where the first modulation is quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), the second modulation signal can be a secondary phase offset. A receiver in the system that has a priori knowledge about the timing relationship between the first data signal and the instances when the second data signal is present will be able to detect both data signals optimally.

Abstract: A condenser for an air conditioning system includes a receiver integrally formed with a second, or return, header which is in fluid communication with a second, or sub-cooling, group of tubes. A conduit extends between entry and discharge ends both of which are completely enclosed within the interior of the receiver. The conduit transports a refrigerant fluid in an upflow direction within the interior of the receiver and through a second fluid port located adjacent the discharge end of the conduit for directing the fluid into and through the return header to the sub-cooling group of tubes.

Abstract: A fuel system for a vehicle having a generator includes a fuel reservoir which taps into the main fuel tank. A solenoid pump pumps fuel from the main fuel tank to the reservoir which in turn feeds fuel to the generator. A fuel shut-off valve is provided in the reservoir to prevent overfilling of the reservoir without the need for a fuel level sensor or pump control electronics. The valve is operable to close upon the fuel level reaching the closing height of the valve. Closing of the valve causes the pump to idle, thus stopping the flow of fuel into the reservoir. Fuel is still allowed to flow from the reservoir to the generator, thus allowing uninterrupted running of the generator. When the fuel level in the reservoir dips below the closing height of the valve, the valve opens and the pump again starts pumping fuel into the reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed is a braze bar carrier system for utilization in holding and maintaining the alignment of a plurality of components in an apparatus during a brazing process. The braze bar carrier system includes a graphite insert that prevents the brazing flux from wetting the braze bar carrier system thereby preventing brazing filler material from adhering to the carrier system. The graphite insert is readily removable and replaceable. Use of the graphite insert dramatically reduces the number of scrap and damaged assemblies in a brazing operation.

Abstract: A dual-poppet valve comprising a valve body having spaced-apart coaxial valve seats and being arranged such that first and second poppets both open into the primary chamber. A first pintle shaft engages the first poppet, and a second pintle shaft engages the second poppet. A motorized actuator having a gear transmission includes a pinion gear. The pintle shafts include opposing gear racks, and the pinion gear engages both racks. Thus, rotation of the pinion gear in a first direction causes both poppets to be lifted from their seats simultaneously, in opposite directions; and counter-rotation engages each poppet with its respective seat. In closing, one poppet engages its seat slightly before the other poppet engages the other seat. The first pintle slides through the first poppet until the second poppet is fully seated by the actuator. The force of the spring fully engages the first poppet with the first seat.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a heat exchanger assembly including a tank having a wall defining an aperture with a fitting secured thereto and a method of securing the fitting thereto. The fitting has a first end with an outer perimeter disposed exteriorly thereof and smaller than the aperture for inserting the first end of the fitting into the aperture. The fitting also has an internal tunnel extending along an axis thereto from the first end. A step of material is disposed in the tunnel at the first end, which is at least in part, radially and longitudinally displaced relative to the axis into contact with the wall to prevent rotational movement of the fitting in the aperture.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for improving the audible output of a vehicle radio based upon the particular type of vehicle in which the radio is installed. A vehicle radio includes a data table, which is accessible by a radio controller. The data table stores a plurality of unique sets of alignment parameters. Each set of alignment parameters corresponds to a vehicle model in which the radio may be installed. The alignment settings are used to adjust various signal-processing techniques—such as “blend”, “roll-off”, “noise blank”, etc.—as well as other parameters. The radio controller receives information indicative of the type of vehicle in which the radio is installed. The radio controller accesses the data table and applies the alignment settings that correspond to the type of vehicle. Listener-specific preferences can also be stored in the data table.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon adsorber system in accordance with the invention comprising a carbon adsorber element installed in a throttle body of an internal combustion engine. The element may be installed on a wall or in a groove in the wall of the throttle throat at a location immediately upstream (outside) the throttle blade in the air flow direction, and/or an element may be installed on the downstream surface of the throttle blade itself. When an engine is shut down, the engine throttle normally remains slightly open. Any hydrocarbon emissions must pass through this slight opening, and applying carbon adsorbers to these locations takes advantage of proximity to such an opening, as any hydrocarbon emissions must pass close by the carbon adsorbers and thus have a much-increased probability of being adsorbed, in comparison with prior art more general carbon adsorption sites.

Abstract: A non-contact linear absolute position sensor includes a first magnetic encoder having n+1 pole pairs, a second magnetic encoder having n pole pairs and located and aligned with the first magnetic encoder so as to cover a linear distance. The magnetic encoders are affixed to a traveling body. Two pairs of Hall Effect sensors are located near each of the first and second magnetic encoders and are configured to generate linear position signals. A processor is provided to process the linear position signals to generate an output signal indicative of a linear absolute position of the traveling body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an electronic assembly and an electronic assembly with an integrated cooling system for dissipating heat. The electronic assembly comprises a base; and at least one electrical component attached to the base. The base defines an integrated cooling system having a fluid channel spanning within the base and at least one heat exchanger in heat communication with the fluid channel. The integrated cooling system may further include a pump attached to the base for directing the flow of the fluid within the fluid channel, and a port in fluid communication with the fluid channel for receiving fluid from an external source.

Abstract: An electrical connection is made by connecting a metal element to a second element to which the electrical connection is desired to be made by means of a conductive material disposed onto one or both of the metal element and the second element so as to contact and disperse about or through the metal element thereby providing both an electrical and a mechanical connection. The metal element may be a strip or pad with openings or knurls formed such as by stamping, a wire that is flattened and knurled, or a mesh material such as a wire mesh. In a preferred embodiment, the conductive material is a metal capable of withstanding harsh, high temperature environments, such as a noble metal. In another preferred embodiment, the second element is a ceramic element, preferably with a noble metal conductive pad thereon, to which the metal element is attached.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a cooling assembly for removing heat from an electronic device. The cooling assembly includes a heat sink having a base plate and a plurality of fins extending upwardly from the base plate to a top extremity. A nozzle directs a flow of cooling fluid onto the fins and is disposed above the base plate and below the top extremity of the fins. The flow of cooling fluid is discharged from the nozzle adjacent the base plate and then flows upwardly through the fins to remove the heat from the base plate before removing any heat from the fins.