Abstract: A compact thermosiphon assembly for dissipating heat generated by electronic components using a working fluid includes a tube having a first end and a second end and a flat cross section defining an elongated chamber is disclosed. The tube has an evaporation region for receiving heat to evaporate the working fluid into a vaporized working fluid within the chamber disposed between a first condensation region and a second condensation region opposite the first condensation region for condensing the vaporized working fluid back into a liquefied working fluid within the chamber. Each of the condensation regions have a first portion extending upwardly at a first angle from the evaporation region and a second portion extending upwardly at a second angle different than the first angle.

Abstract: Heat sinks are provided that achieve very high convective heat transfer surface per unit volume. These heat sinks comprise a spreader plate, at least two fins and at least one porous reticulated foam block that fills the space between the fins.

Abstract: A method is directed to controlling a traction control system including a controllable center coupling and a controlled brake system. The method provides for receiving axle speed information, receiving a vehicle speed, determining at least one difference value between the vehicle speed and the axle speed information, and activating the controllable center coupling and the controlled brake system responsive to the difference values. The step of activating the controllable center coupling responsive to at least one of the difference values may include comparing the at least one difference value to at least one associated threshold value, and activating the controllable center coupling based on the comparison. The step of activating the controllable center coupling based on the comparison may include determining an engine torque request value based on the comparison, and engaging an engine with the controllable center coupling based on the engine torque request value.

Abstract: A resistor (having a resistance of Rs) is connected in series with an inductor whose inductance and/or resistance is desired to be determined. An alternating voltage (such as a sinusoidal voltage) is applied across the series-connected resistor and inductor, wherein the alternating voltage has a frequency ?, a unique maximum or minimum value Vm, an average value and a unique crossover of the average value. The voltage Vr is measured across the resistor when the alternating voltage is at its maximum or minimum value. The voltage Vl is measured across the resistor when the alternating voltage is at its average value. The resistance RL of the inductor is calculated from an equation in which RL is a function of Vm, Vr, Rs and Vl. The inductance L of the inductor is calculated from an equation in which L is a function of Vl, Rl, Rs, Vr and ?.

Abstract: A motor vehicle strut and a rod guide assembly for the same. The strut includes a body, a rod slidable within the body, and a guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a housing assembly with a compliant member positioned adjacent a sleeve. An aperture is formed within the housing assembly. A bearing receives the rod, is positioned substantially within the aperture, and engages the sleeve. At least one seal is positioned substantially within the aperture. A seal cover and a retainer are operably attached to the housing assembly. Lateral movement of the rod causes deformation of the compliant member.

Abstract: A tuneable radio and method for automatically adjusting the seek sensitivity alignment for seek operations. The radio has a radio receiver for receiving broadcast radio wave signals, and a tuner adjustable for selecting from a plurality of radio wave signal channels. A detector detects signal strength of the received radio wave signals, and a seek input allows a user to initiate a seek operation to select a signal channel having a signal strength exceeding a seek sensitivity threshold. A controller calculates an average signal value and adjusts the seek sensitivity threshold based on the average value. The controller adjusts the seek sensitivity when it is determined that the radio has travelled beyond a minimum distance.

Abstract: A needle roller retainer for insertion into an outer ball of a tripot style joint includes a cylindrical portion having an inner end and an outer end, a rib portion extending from the inner end of the cylindrical portion, and a flange portion extending from the outer end of the cylindrical portion. The outer ball includes a groove for receiving the rib portion.

Abstract: A cardan joint is provided with a centering disk that is moveable relative to the intermediate coupling member. The invention also provides a centering disk including a plurality of tabs to support movement of the centering disk relative to the intermediate coupling member. The invention also provides a spring positioned in the centering disk to outwardly bias the ends of the shaft to maintain the contact between the shaft and the centering disk. The invention also provides means for biasing the centering disk relative to the intermediate coupling member.

Abstract: A first solenoid-operated, discharge-line control valve (26) is moved between open and closed positions to control fluid flow in the discharge fluid line (18) between the compressor (12) and the condenser (14). A second solenoid-operated, liquid-line control valve (28) is moved between open and closed positions to control fluid flow in the liquid fluid line (20) between the condenser (14) and the evaporator (16). A controller (36) closes one of the flow control valves (26, 28) a period of time before closing the other flow control valve (26, 28) and shuts down the compressor (12) sequentially with the flow control valves (26, 28).

Abstract: An electrical connector utilizing a plurality of terminals to which wires have been ultrasonically welded, most preferably via UWTI technology, wherein the terminals are aligned for the welding process and also aligned in the connector via one or more terminal carriers. Terminals are placed into respective seats in two terminal carriers, and wires are then ultrasonically welded to the terminals. The terminal carriers are then superposed and placed into a connector body of the electrical connector. The ultrasonic welding process is implemented by an anvil passing through an aperture in the terminal carriers at each terminal so that it is able to sonically and pressurably co-act with the tip of the ultrasonic welding apparatus to thereby effect an ultrasonic weld of the wire(s) to the respective terminals, preferably through the insulation thereof.

Abstract: A hybrid brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a hydraulic brake circuit having a first fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit connected to a master cylinder for generating hydraulic pressure in the first and a second fluid circuits, and electrically actuated brake elements controllable as a function of the hydraulic pressure in one or the other of the first and second fluid circuits. The apparatus may include a pedal feel emulator in one of the fluid circuits. The apparatus may also include a booster for amplifying pressure in the fluid circuits, a sensor for determining that the booster has failed, and control elements providing compensation for the failed booster during operation of the electrically actuated brakes while the booster is inoperative.

Abstract: A method of making an interior trim panel for attachment to structure of a vehicle includes the steps of loading a trim blank into a cavity of a first side of a mold and depositing a molten thermoplastic material onto a core on the first side of the mold. The method also includes the steps of closing the mold, moving the slide in a channel of the core, and injecting a molten thermoplastic material into a second side of the mold to form the interior trim panel.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma reactor element includes a structural carrier; a thin electrode layer disposed upon the structural carrier; and a thin high k barrier layer disposed upon the electrode layer. Double, single and null dielectric carrier elements are provided. The structural support function for the element is substantially provided by the structural carrier while the dielectric barrier function is substantially provided by the high k barrier layer. This enables optimum utilization of conventional extrusion materials having low-cost, fabricability, mechanical and thermal properties (such as cordierite, mullite, and alumina) as structural carriers. Electrode layers and high k barrier layers are tailored to have dimensions as thin as possible for the particular NTP reactor application. In a preferred embodiment, a minimal number of structural ligaments are provided, thereby maximizing conversion efficiency while maintaining structural and electrical performance.

Abstract: A damper includes a piston that carries a relatively compact control valve for controlling fluid flow through the piston. The control valve provides a variable amount of damping by regulating damper fluid flow between the extension chamber and the compression chamber of the damper during extension and compression strokes. Pressure regulation across the piston is controlled through a flow path as determined by the control valve. The damping force of the damper varies depending upon the loading conditions of the vehicle. The control valve is air pressure actuated to adjust the damping force and control the flow of fluid in the flow path. The piston and rod assembly include unique features such as a seal plate design, and spring retainer that aid in the efficient and reliable assembly in a commercial production setting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM manufacturing for fixtures and tooling comprising: selecting a contact area geometry; creating extracts from a master process model; generating a tooling model corresponding to the contact area geometry; virtual machining the tooling model to generate the fixtures and tooling; and generating machining instructions and drawings to create the fixtures and tooling; where the tooling model exhibits an associative relationship with the contact area geometry.

Abstract: A mechanical control head system allows a vehicle user to control certain HVAC functions. The mechanical control head system includes a mounting plate, a faceplate, at least two user-adjustable actuators, at least two function interfaces and connections between the function interfaces and the HVAC module. The knobs provide the user a means to control, for example, the ambient temperature in the vehicle interior and the outside air circulation within the vehicle. The rotary cylinders can be coupled and uncoupled to the knobs in a single step instead of requiring individual steps for each knob.

Abstract: The subject invention detects the presence of an ozone reducing coating on an automotive radiator of the type having spaced fins presenting electromagnetic surface properties different than the electromagnetic surface properties of the coating. In accordance with the subject invention light rays are emitted or reflected off the coating on the fins to a detector and a comparator compares these light rays to a predetermined benchmark to provide a signal in response to the detected light rays crossing the benchmark. In a species, a second detector is employed to detect rays from an un-coated section to establish the benchmark.

Abstract: Brake assemblies and a method of dissipating heat from a brake assembly are provided. A first brake assembly includes a rotor, a brake caliper assembly including an actuator motor, and at least one friction pad operably attached to the caliper assembly. The actuator motor biases the friction pad into frictional engagement with the rotor. At least one thermal conduit extends distally from the actuator motor dissipating heat energy away from the actuator motor. The method includes providing an actuator motor and providing a thermal conduit extending distally from the actuator motor. Heat is conducted away from the actuator motor along the thermal conduit. A second brake assembly includes actuator motor means and thermal conduit means extending distally from the actuator motor means. The brake assembly further includes means for conducting heat from the actuator motor means along the thermal conduit means.

Abstract: A system and method for managing changes to items associated with a complex system of inter-related items. The inventive system includes a database having a plurality of records, wherein each record includes information concerning an item associated with the assembled end product. The information contained in each record includes an identification of other items that could be affected by a change to the item associated with the record. The system further includes a computer-user interface displaying a user-updateable list of affected items and a user-updateable list of non-affected items. The list of affected items and the list of non-affected items are created by assigning items that may be affected by a change to one of these lists.

Abstract: An ignition assembly provides a current to a spark plug to combust fuel in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The ignition coil assembly includes a primary winding defining a central axis. A secondary winding is wrapped about the primary winding coaxial with the central axis. The ignition coil assembly also includes a central core extending through the primary winding coaxial with the central axis. The central core includes a plurality of core components each having a single exterior surface that is continuous. In addition, each of the single exterior surface extends through an arcuate path.