Abstract: The subject inventive steering damper assembly includes a rotor sleeve having open first and second ends and a drive plate disposed in the open second end. A core is co-axially disposed in the rotor sleeve closing the open first end of the rotor sleeve and defining a magnetic fluid chamber with the sleeve. A Magneto-Rheological fluid is disposed in the magnetic fluid chamber. The drive plate is flexible to provide manufacturing and operational tolerance, and is securely attached to the open second end of the rotor sleeve. Flexibility is derived from at least one aperture disposed in the drive plate. The aperture may be formed in a variety of shapes including elongated, round and oval shaped apertures.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for making lead-acid storage battery plates comprising an alignment puncher for creating a plurality of alignment holes in a lead strip as the lead strip is progressively expanded and cut into a grid like pattern on an expander die system. The alignment of the lead strip is accomplished by inserting at least one alignment pin into at least one of the plurality of alignment holes that have been punched into the lead strip as the lead strip is progressively expanded and cut into a plurality of wire-like segments along opposing edges of the lead strip. After each cut, the alignment pin retracts while the lead strip is indexed.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis control stores first and second calibrated values of a predetermined braking parameter and a steering correction parameter. The control includes apparatus for detecting a split coefficient condition with respect to the road surface; and, when it does and a braking signal is present, the control actuates braking apparatus for a wheel on the side of the vehicle having the higher coefficient of friction with the first calibrated value of the predetermined braking parameter and simultaneously actuates the steering apparatus with a steering correction to compensate for yaw induced by braking on the split coefficient road surface. If the steering correction is not available, however, the braking apparatus is actuated for the wheel having the higher coefficient of friction with the second calibrated value of the predetermined braking parameter without simultaneously actuating the steering apparatus with the steering correction.

Abstract: A fuel sensor system for a vehicle includes a fuel pump adapted to be disposed in a fuel tank to pump fuel from the fuel tank to an engine of the vehicle. The fuel sensor system also includes a fuel sensor adapted to be disposed in the fuel tank to measure a property index of the fuel. The fuel sensor system further includes a jet pump connected to the fuel pump to fill the fuel sensor with a fuel sample of the fuel.

Abstract: A drive circuit for an ignition system includes an ignition coil and spark plug associated with each cylinder of an internal combustion engine. Each ignition coil has a primary winding with the first end connectable to a power source and a second end opposite the first end connected to a silicon-control rectifier (SCR). Each coil also has a secondary winding connectable to a respective spark plug. The SCR may be integrated with the coil. A main driver device is connected between the other end of the SCR and ground. The driver device is configured to conduct a primary current in response to a drive signal. The SCRs are controlled into conduction by a respective gating signal. A control circuit is configured to generate the gating signals and the drive signal in response to one or more ignition control signals. An SCR for each coil is used to select which coil is allowed to carry current when the main driver is turned on.

Abstract: An integrated air fuel module (10) for an internal combustion engine reduces or eliminates the escape of hydrocarbon evaporative emissions from the integrated air fuel module (10) system, sub systems and components. The integrated air fuel module (10) includes containment means (34), such as a valve (34) or carbon adsorber, that blocks the escape of evaporated hydrocarbon emissions from the air inlet (16) of an engine during engine off conditions. The module (10) provides a reduced number of potential external hydrocarbon leak and permeation paths to the surrounding atmosphere. Preferred geometries of the intake manifold (12) in the module (10) with the internal integration of other normally external systems, such as fuel injection (60) and positive crankcase ventilation (50) systems, accomplish the containment of evaporative emissions within or entering the air fuel module (10) between engine operating periods when the engine is shut down.

Abstract: A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing and a movable mechanism disposed in the housing. The tension sensing assembly also includes at least one spring disposed in the housing and cooperable with the movable mechanism. The tension sensing assembly includes at least one magnet disposed in the housing and a Hall effect sensor disposed in the housing and cooperable with the at least one magnet. The tension sensing assembly further includes a cable extending through the housing and cooperable with the movable mechanism to move the movable mechanism to deflect the at least one spring. The movable mechanism moves the at least one magnet relative to the Hall effect sensor to change an output of the Hall effect sensor to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system when the at least one spring is deflected.

Abstract: A security system including a vehicle based security manager processor and a communications module linked to the security manager processor. The communications module is capable of communicating to a remote call center by way of an internet communication link. If certain security protocols are breached, the call center communicates a shutdown command to the vehicle by way of the internet communications link and the vehicle initiates a shutdown procedure for incapacitating the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is steer-by-wire control systems comprising: a road wheel unit responsive to a road wheel command signal including a road wheel position sensor and a road wheel force sensor. The steer-by-wire control system also includes a steering wheel unit responsive to a steering wheel torque command signal, including a steering wheel position sensor and a torque sensor. The steer-by-wire control system further includes a vehicle speed sensor, and a master control unit operatively connected to the vehicle speed sensor, the steering wheel unit, and the road wheel unit. The road wheel unit is also responsive to the road wheel force signal.

Abstract: An automotive electronic component (10), including a base component (12), a face plate (14) detachable from the base component (12), a cantilever element (16) positioned on either the base component (12) or the face plate (14), and a rib element (18) positioned on the other of the base component (12) or the face plate (14). During removal of the face plate (14) from the base component (12), the rib element (18) engages the cantilever element (16) and prevents complete disengagement of the face plate (14) from the base component (12) until an additional force is applied to the face plate (14).

Abstract: A spark plug electrode is disclosed. The electrode comprises, based upon the total weight of the electrode, about 83 wt. % to about 96.8 wt. % copper, about 3.0 wt. % to about 9.0 wt. % chromium, and about 0.2 wt. % to about 8.0 wt. % niobium. A spark plug is also disclosed. The spark plug comprises a shell disposed in contact with an insulator body. A center electrode is disposed at a lower end of the insulator body. A side electrode is also disposed at a lower end of the shell. This side electrode is coaxially aligned with the center electrode. At least one of the center electrode and the side electrode comprises a core composition of about 83 wt. % to about 96.8 wt. % copper, about 3.0 wt. % to about 9.0 wt. % chromium and about 0.2% to about 8.0% niobium, based upon the total weight of the composition. A resistor section is also disposed in electrical communication with the center electrode.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire control system comprising a master control system, a road wheel system, and a hand wheel system is disclosed. The road wheel system is connected to the master control system and includes a road wheel position sensor and a rack force sensor. The hand wheel system is connected to the master control system and the road wheel system and includes a hand wheel position sensor and a torque sensor. The steer-by-wire system also includes a vehicle speed sensor for producing a vehicle speed signal. In addition a hand wheel actuator configured to receive commands from the hand wheel system and a road wheel actuator configured to receive commands from the road wheel system are utilized. The hand wheel system and road wheel system each include a configurable control topology.

Abstract: An attitude angle estimator and method of estimating attitude angle of a vehicle having an angular attitude rate sensor sensing angular attitude rate of a vehicle, a vertical accelerometer sensing vertical acceleration, and a lateral accelerometer sensing lateral acceleration. An attitude angle estimate is produced and is updated as a function of the sensed angular attitude rate. An acceleration-based attitude angle is determined as a function of the sensed accelerations, and a blending coefficient is provided. A current vehicle attitude angle estimate is generated as a function of the updated attitude angle estimate, the acceleration-based attitude angle, and the blending coefficient.

Abstract: A method of making a composite powder metal disk for a rotor assembly in a synchronous reluctance machine. The method includes filling discrete regions of a disk-shaped die with ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic powder metals, compacting to powders, and sintering the compacted powders. By this method, a disk is formed that includes alternating regions of magnetically conducting powder metal and magnetically non-conducting powder metal compacted and sintered to a high density. The method may also include forming a rotor assembly by stacking a plurality of the composite powder metal disks axially along a shaft with their magnetic configurations aligned.

Abstract: A method of controlling the bandwidth of electromagnetic interference generated by a pulse modulation controlled automotive motor is disclosed. The method comprises providing a controller including at least one register thereof; the controller in signal communication with the motor for controlling the motor based upon operating parameters thereof; selecting a first pulse modulation frequency from a set of pulse modulation frequencies; selecting a first clock frequency; selecting a first hopping frequency; selecting a first switching frequency; initializing the at least one register, establishing thereby a prescribed at least one number; based upon the prescribed at least one number of the at least one register, the first clock frequency and the first hopping frequency randomly changing the switching frequency of the pulse modulation.

Abstract: A variable reluctance sensor interface module having a variable attenuation circuit and a rectifier and differential to single-ended conversion circuit for operating in a current mode to attenuate a differential input voltage. The variable attenuation circuit receives an input differential voltage from a magnetic sensor, converts the differential voltage to current, and variably attenuates the current. The rectifier and differential to single-ended conversion circuit converts the variably attenuated current to a voltage output. The input circuit includes an RC filter that attenuates high frequency signals. An initial threshold circuit generates an initial threshold voltage that compensates for internal resistance variations.

Abstract: A seal adaptor assembly for use in a stroking universal joint of the type having an outer drive housing member having an exterior wall of non-uniform dimension including spaces between the parts of the housing enclosing the drive channels. The seal adaptor assembly includes an annular body and a plurality of insert having greater rigidity than the material of the annular body and wherein the inserts are located in the annular body at sections thereof that are located within outer housing spaces between the drive channels. The inserts are supported within the annular body at thin wall sections thereof and thereby provide for a more uniform compression of a resilient seal member between the housing and a clamp for holding the resilient seal member in place on the housing.

Abstract: A control method for a motor vehicle HVAC system categorizes potentially conflicting override commands for at least one control parameter in order to assign a priority of control. Override commands are categorized as being related to occupant safety, vehicle safety or occupant comfort. Highest priority is assigned to override commands categorized as being related to occupant safety, second-highest priority is assigned to override commands categorized as being related to vehicle safety, and third-highest priority is assigned to override commands categorized as being related to occupant comfort. An HVAC controller carrying out the control method then regulates the control parameter in accordance with the override command that has been assigned the highest priority.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes a first joint member having a plurality of guide rails that are parallel to one another and to a central axis of the first joint member. A second joint member includes a spider encaged by the guide rails and carrying slide couplings which are captured by but slideable axially on the guide rails and spider as well as being pivotal relative to the spider to facilitate angulation of the joint as well as axial translation during the transmission of torque between two rotatable shafts coupled to the respective first and second joint members.

Abstract: A multi-disc brake assembly has a hub that is rotatable about an axis with at least a pair of discs supported on the hub for relative axial movement along the hub. The discs present braking surfaces for a plurality of friction elements to move into and out of frictional braking engagement therewith. A non-rotatable support structure releasably supports at least one hanger member to slidably support the friction elements. Releasing at least one hanger member from the non-rotatable support structure provides for removal of at least one of the friction elements from the disc brake assembly while the inner caliper portion remains attached to the outer caliper portion. Additionally, at least two bores may be formed in the non-rotatable support structure in generally axially opposed relation to one another. Piston members are disposed in the piston bores for movement toward and away from one another causing frictional braking engagement with the braking surfaces.