Abstract: The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by an all-wheel steering system for a vehicle comprising a controller having a first input for receiving a signal from a hand wheel position sensor, a second input for receiving a signal from a vehicle speed sensor, and a third input for receiving a signal that varies depending upon whether a trailer is hitched to said vehicle. The controller generates an output for controlling a rear wheel steering actuator. The output varies as a function of the first, second, and third inputs such that when a trailer is hitched to said vehicle the out-of-phase rear steer amount at low speeds is reduced and the in-phase rear steering amount at high speeds is increased.

Abstract: An improved solenoid for providing linear actuation. The outer polepiece of the solenoid is provided with an axial journal bearing for supporting an actuating shaft extending from the solenoid armature. Radial tolerance between the bearing inner bore and the shaft is as small as in practically possible, which feature permits elimination of the prior art portion of the guiding sleeve extending into the outer polepiece, thereby retaining frictional losses with only the remaining sleeve portion in the inner polepiece. Small prior art air gaps at interfaces 42,44 between the polepieces and the housing are eliminated to minimize reluctance of the magnetic circuit. A significant increase in actuating force is realized in comparison with a prior art solenoid actuator.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material that exhibits enhanced thermoelectric power, and thus an improvement in the thermoelectric figure of merit. Bismuth, as elemental bismuth, a bismuth alloy, a bismuth intermetallic compound, a mixture of these, or any of these including a dopant, is embedded in the pores of a host material having an average pore size in the range of about 5-15 nm. A method of making a composite thermoelectric material is also provided in which a porous host material is provided having an average pore size of about 5-15 nm, and a vapor of a bismuth-based material is caused to flow into the pores from a vapor inlet side of the host material to a vapor outlet side. The host material is then cooled from the vapor outlet side to progressively condense the vapor in the holes in the direction from the outlet side to the inlet side to progressively form nanowires of the bismuth-based material in the pores.

Abstract: A fastener having a head and a cylindrical shank, the shank having a first set of opposed wings extending from two opposed longitudinally extending segments and a second set of opposed wings extending from the two other opposed longitudinally extending segments. Wings in opposing segments are identical. Wings in the first set have a larger radial diameter than wings in the second set. Wings in adjacent segments are offset a distance longitudinally. There is a longitudinally extending spacing between one radial edge of each wing in the first set and one radial edge of each wing in the second set. Each of the wings in the second set has a flattened portion on a distal edge that extends to a radial edge. The fastener is particularly useful for maintaining a high ratio of disengage force to engage force over a range of aperture sizes, shapes, and panel thicknesses.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a motor vehicle includes a compression valve having one or more deflectable discs mounted on the piston on the rebound chamber side. It also includes a rebound stroke valve having one or more deflectable discs mounted on the piston on the compression chamber side. The deflectable discs of the compression stroke valve have fluid flow apertures aligned with the rebound flow passage. The compression stroke valve also has an annular stop member and an annular orientation disc positioned between the stop member and the deflectable discs on the side of the deflectable discs remote from the piston. The stop member and the orientation disc have fluid flow apertures aligned with fluid flow apertures in the deflectable discs. An orientation disc has a pin folded therefrom and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the pin extending through corresponding apertures formed in the deflectable discs into a corresponding slot formed in the piston.

Abstract: A deactivation hydraulic valve lifter includes an elongate lifter body having a substantially cylindrical inner wall. The inner wall defines at least one annular pin chamber therein. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine. An elongate pin housing includes a substantially cylindrical pin housing wall and pin housing bottom. The pin housing wall includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The pin housing bottom defines a radially directed pin bore therethrough. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the inner wall of the lifter body such that the outer surface of the pin housing wall is adjacent to at least a portion of the inner wall of the lifter body. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes two pin members. The pin members are biased radially outward relative to each other. A portion of each pin member is disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby couple the lifter body to the pin housing.

Abstract: An automatic sliding door cable mechanism with a take up guide member (46) mounted in a drum (14) for taking up slack of a cable during installation of the cable. A second drum (16) has an elliptical profile drum helix (96) for increasing durability of the operating cable for the automatic door.

Abstract: An automotive ignition system (50) includes a control circuit (52) operable to drive a coil current switching device (24) connected between an ignition coil (30) referenced at battery voltage (VBATT) and a sense resistor (RS) referenced at ground potential. The control circuit (52) includes a drive circuit (20) and voltage trip circuit (54) defining a reference voltage (VTH) for comparison with a sense voltage (VS) developed across the sense resistor (RS) due to increasing coil current (IC) through the ignition coil (30). As the sense voltage (VS) increases to the reference voltage (VTH), the voltage trip circuit (54) produces a trip voltage signal (VTRIP) to which the drive circuit (20) is responsive to deactivate the coil current switching device (24). The voltage trip circuit (54) is configured such that the reference voltage (VTH) is temperature and battery voltage, and optionally engine speed, dependent.

Abstract: A HVAC system is operable in a fresh air mode and a recirculation mode for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The HVAC system includes a blower and a HVAC module in fluid communication with and downstream of the blower for warming and cooling the air to be circulated through the passenger compartment in both the fresh air mode and the recirculation mode. The HVAC module includes an inlet duct in fluid communication with and upstream of the blower and located above the dashboard for drawing air from the passenger compartment above the dashboard and through the blower and the HVAC module in the recirculation mode. The inlet duct above the dashboard improves air circulation within the passenger compartment that improves the air warm-up rate. The inlet duct above the dashboard also improves the airflow across a windshield to prevent fogging of the windshield.

Abstract: A cover for an air bag module is provided. The cover comprises a polymeric sheet and one or more thinned portions. The polymeric sheet has a first surface and a second surface and includes a plurality of cells formed therein. A skin is formed on at least the first surface. The thinned portions are formed in the second surface and define a weakened region of the cover.

Abstract: An ignition coil, spark plug, and pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine are, in a preferred embodiment, integrated into a single assembly and mounted directly on a plug hole of an internal combustion engine. A hard spark plug shell serves as a pressure member and on which a strain gage is affixed. Changes in the pressure in the combustion chamber deform the shell, causing a corresponding change in the resistance of the strain gage. A bridge circuit or the like is used to measure the resistance change thereby providing a direct indication of cylinder pressure.

Abstract: An assembly having first and second coaxially-related elements oscillatingly-rotatable about a mean angular relationship therebetween. An axial well in one element is threaded and an axial well in the other element is splined. A pin having threads on a first end and splines on the second end is disposed on both the threads and splines of the two elements. A Hall-effect magnetic field strength sensor is disposed coaxially adjacent to the assembly. A permanent magnet mounted on an end of the pin adjacent the Hall-effect sensor creates a magnetic response therein. As the angular relationship between the two elements changes, the pin turns with the splined element, the threads simultaneously displacing the pin and magnet axially of the assembly, thereby changing the intensity of the field experienced by the sensor and the signal output therefrom in proportion to the relative angular position of the two elements.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake system or clutch pack comprises a motor shaft having a first tapered cutout, and a ballscrew shaft having a second tapered cutout. The first and second tapered cutouts being adapted to mate.

Abstract: A heat sink for cooling electrical or electronic devices comprises a base plate having a top surface and a bottom surface for attaching to the electronic device. At least two vertical plates are affixed to and extend substantially perpendicularly from the top surface in a spaced apart manner and are parallel one to the other. A secondary fin is affixed to and extends between an upper portion of the vertical plates. The secondary fin has a top convoluted edge and a bottom convoluted edge and is oriented such that the bottom convoluted edge faces the top surface of the base plate. The secondary fin includes a plurality of individual fins formed in a convoluted accordion-like manner. The plurality of individual fins define a plurality of secondary fin passageways between adjacent ones of the individual fins wherein each secondary fin passageway extends from the top convoluted edge to the bottom convoluted edge.

Abstract: An improved series-pass over-voltage protection circuit for a motor vehicle electrical system includes first and second parallel connected power paths that respectively provide low current capability with low quiescent current drain, and high current capability with low on-resistance. The first power path, embodied by a P-channel MOSFET, supplies pass-through battery current to quiescent loads such as an engine control module during periods of vehicle inactivity. The second power path, embodied by at least one N-channel MOSFET, is activated by a gate voltage power supply during periods of vehicle activity. The second power path is configured to limit the circuit output voltage to a higher value than the first power path, so that the over-voltage protection during periods of vehicle activity is accomplished by the second power path.

Abstract: A method for calibrating hydraulic actuators includes installing an actuator in a test stand and performing an electrical signal sweep to obtain a series of pressure values. Based on desired pressure values, signals yielding unwanted pressure values are removed and the remaining signal values and pressure values are stored in a central database as a look-up table for the actuator. Multiple actuators are then assembled to form a module assembly. The customized look-up tables for the actuators forming the module assembly are retrieved from the database. Based on those tables, signals are applied to the actuators to determine if the pressure values fall within specified tolerance windows. If the pressure values fall within the specified tolerance windows, the customized look-up tables are stored in the memory of a vehicle electronics package. If not, the signals are adjusted so that the pressure values fall within the specified windows, and the adjusted customized look-up tables are then stored in the memory.

Abstract: A torque sensing apparatus for use with a brake caliper having opposing brake pads positioned on opposite sides of a rotor. The brake caliper causes the brake pads to apply a braking force against the rotor that generates a braking torque. A torque transfer device is supported by the brake caliper and is in contact with one of the brake pads. The torque transfer device is resiliently movable with respect to the brake caliper in response to the braking torque. A torque sensor is positioned in a sensing relationship relative to the torque transfer device. Thus, the torque sensor provides an output signal related to a change of position of the torque transfer device and the braking torque. The torque sensor includes a magnet mounted on the torque transfer device and a magnet field sensor, for example, a Hall Effect sensor, is mounted on the brake caliper.

Abstract: A NOx, catalyst combination for treating a lean exhaust gas stream comprising an alkaline earth-alumina catalyst and an alkaline earth-zeolite catalyst, arranged on a substrate such that the gas stream first contacts the alkaline earth-alumina catalyst prior to contacting the alkaline earth-zeolite catalyst.

Abstract: A vehicular damper includes a cylinder, a piston rod in the cylinder having a hollow end defining an axial rod passage and a cylindrical piston affixed to the end of the rod dividing the cylinder into a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. A valve plate on the rod adjacent the piston has a plurality of soft channels extending from an outer end at the rebound chamber to an inner end at the axial rod passage and a solenoid actuated cylinder in the rod passage is movable to open and close the inner ends of the soft channels. A bi-directional working disc contacts with the soft channels' outer ends to provide damping in rebound and compression when the solenoid valve is open.

Abstract: A uniformly preset spring force pre-load among a number of identical solenoid actuated valve assemblies (28) by uniquely adjusting the spring pocket length (L) of each respective plunger (12) to accommodate a respective spring (20) which is uniquely mated thereto. This adjustment is accomplished using a two-component plunger (12) consisting of a plunger body (14) having a central bore (22) and a rod (18) slidably located within the central bore. The rod (18) is press-fit into the central bore (22), and the spring pocket includes a portion of the central bore unoccupied by the rod. By pressing the rod (18) a selected distance into the central bore (22), a precisely set spring pocket is obtained which is uniquely correct for a selected spring (20), in that the selected spring is compressed to a precisely preset spring force pre-load.