Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly for a vehicle includes a barrel and a solenoid disposed in the barrel for connection to a source of power. The solenoid valve assembly also includes a movable plunger disposed in the barrel and cooperating with the solenoid and a latch connected to the plunger and cooperating with the barrel to maintain the plunger in either one of an open state and closed state.

Abstract: A two-step finger follower rocker arm assembly including a follower body having a socket at a first end for engaging a hydraulic lash adjuster and a pad at an opposite end for engaging a valve stem. A passage through the follower body in the direction of actuation by an engine cam lobe is slidingly receivable of a slider member for variably engaging a central cam lobe, preferably a high-lift lobe. An elongate shaft extends through a transverse bore in the slider member and through a slotted passage in the slider member. In the follower body, the shaft is provided with bearings supporting first and second lateral roller followers on opposite sides of the body for variably engaging first and second preferably low-lift lateral cam lobes flanking the central cam lobe. A lost-motion spring urges the slider member into contact with the central lobe. A latch member driven by a piston selectively locks the slider member to the follower body such that the follower follows the motion of the central cam lobe.

Abstract: A two-step finger follower rocker arm assembly for cooperating with high-lift and low-lift cam lobes of an engine camshaft. The rocker arm assembly includes a follower body for engaging an hydraulic lash adjuster and a valve stem. A central well contains a roller for following the central low-lift cam lobe. Pivotably mounted on the body are lateral high-lift followers, including sliders or rollers, for following the lateral high-lift cam lobes. A latch block disposed on the body surface is slidable by piston and spring means between first and second positions to engage and thereby alternatively latch and unlatch the high-lift followers. In latched position, the rocker arm assembly acts in high-lift mode; in unlatched position, in low-lift mode.

Abstract: An air bag module is provided for inflating an air bag cushion at dual rates in response to rapid deceleration of a motor vehicle. The air bag module includes an air bag housing for receiving an inflator. The air bag cushion is secured to a peripheral flange of the housing in a folded position. Upon actuation of the inflator, heated gas passes selectively from the inflator through a plurality of openings in the housing. A controller generates an ignition signal to the inflator in response to velocity responsive sensors. In response to the ignition signals, the inflator releases an appropriate predetermined volume of gas into the air bag cushion. The level of deployment or inflation of the air bag cushion is dependent on the actuation of a slide slidably arranged to selectively block the openings of the air bag housing to restrict gas flow to the air bag cushion. The housing further includes venting apertures to permit gas flow from the housing and thereby redirect the gas away from the air bag cushion.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control unit for a controlled braking system includes a hydraulic control unit (HCU) having a controlled braking pump and a pre-charge pump driven by a single motor. The HCU also includes one or more hydraulic components for controlling a flow of hydraulic fluid in the braking apparatus.

Abstract: A top mount for a damper having a piston rod tenon comprises a mount insert and an o-ring. The mount insert is disposed on the tenon, and the o-ring is disposed on the tenon and within a cutout of the mount insert. A damper including the top mount, and a method of assembling a top mount, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mount for a powertrain component of a motor vehicle comprises a primary chamber and a secondary chamber. An orifice track is in fluid communication between the primary chamber and the secondary chamber, and a compliant element is disposed in the primary chamber.

Abstract: A controlled brake apparatus and method of operating a brake apparatus utilize a pre-charge circuit connected directly between the fluid reservoir of a master cylinder of the apparatus and the inlet of a controlled braking pump, to thereby direct pre-charge flow and pressure to the controlled braking pump inlet in a parallel circuit relationship to a primary hydraulic circuit, rather than in a series flow arrangement through the primary hydraulic circuit as was the case in prior brake systems. By feeding the pre-charge pressure and flow to the inlet of the controlled braking pump in this parallel circuit manner, components of the pre-charge circuit, such as a prime valve and its associated check valve are not exposed to braking pressure and can be made significantly smaller, lighter and at lower cost. The brake apparatus may also include a pre-charge pump driven by the same motor used for driving the controlled braking pump.

Abstract: A grommet for a bore in a hydraulic modulator comprises a plurality of ribs disposed about a periphery of the grommet, and a lip seal extending between the ribs. The ribs are adapted to engage the bore, and the lip seal is adapted to engage the bore at an interface to prevent passage of fluid in one direction past the interface.

Abstract: A controlled brake apparatus and method of operating a brake apparatus utilize a pre-charge circuit connected directly between the fluid reservoir of a master cylinder of the apparatus and the inlet of a controlled braking pump, to thereby direct pre-charge flow and pressure to the controlled braking pump inlet in a parallel circuit relationship to a primary hydraulic circuit, rather than in a series flow arrangement through the primary hydraulic circuit as was the case in prior brake systems. The pre-charge circuit includes an integral back-flow check valve, and an accumulator.

Abstract: A balanced angular accelerometer is provided having a substrate, a fixed electrode with a plurality of fixed capacitive plates, and a rotational inertia mass with a central opening and substantially suspended over a cavity and including a plurality of movable capacitive plates arranged to provide a capacitive coupling with the first plurality of fixed capacitive plates. The accelerometer has a central member and an outer member fixed to the substrate. According to one embodiment, a plurality of inner support arms extend between the central member and the inertia mass and a plurality of outer support arms extend between the inertia mass and the outer member to support the mass over the cavity. According to another embodiment, one or more cut out apertures are formed in the inertia mass to compensate for a channel and signal line so as to balance the inertia mass about the center of the inertia mass.

Abstract: A user discrimination control system controls functionality made available by a vehicle infotainment device by reducing functionality provided to the driver while allowing enhanced functionality to another passenger in the vehicle. The system includes a human machine interface located in a vehicle for allowing an occupant to interface with the infotainment device. A passenger detection sensor senses a condition indicative of a passenger other than the driver interfacing with the human machine interface. A video imaging system detects a driver distraction condition. A controller controls functions made available by the infotainment device by allowing one of first and second levels of functionality based on the sensed conditions.

Abstract: An ignition coil assembly includes a high voltage (HV) diode at both ends of the secondary winding. The diodes prevent a spark-on-make condition. The diode implementation has particular benefits when used in a 42 volt automotive electrical system.

Abstract: A method for attaching parts together includes several steps. The parts are positioned for drawn arc welding the parts together. A drawn-arc-weld ferrule including metal is obtained. The ferrule is positioned for use in drawn-arc-welding together the positioned parts. The ferrule is cooled. The positioned parts are drawn arc welded together using the positioned ferrule. In a first expression of an embodiment, a drawn-arc-weld ferrule includes metal. In a second expression of an embodiment, a drawn-arc-weld ferrule includes separate segments each including metal.

Abstract: A suspension control for vehicle dampers uses a trimset value to compensate signals from relative body/wheel position sensors associated with the dampers. Each trimset value is determined by recording a sensor value with the body and wheel in a predetermined relative state, such as by lifting the vehicle until the associated wheel is free of the ground and hanging in a low limit position determined by the suspension apparatus. In vehicle operation, the trimset value is used as an offset to the relative position sensor signal to accurately determine damper position relative to its compression and rebound limit positions. When the damper is within a predetermined bump stop region near either of the compression and rebound limit positions, a bump stop value is determined and applied to the damper to provide a high minimum damping level creating an electronic bump stop for the damper.

Abstract: A hydraulic flow return system of a transmission pump in which primary and bypass flows of hydraulic fluid are returned to primary and bypass flow channels, respectively, of a booster nozzle situated adjacent the rotating group at the inlet of the pump for delivery a boosted flow of high pressure fluid to the pump as a result of the incoming bypass flow being passed through a flow restrictor before being recombined with the primary flow, the system is improved by incorporating a bypass valve which senses the back pressure in the incoming bypass flow and operates to open an auxiliary bypass channel in the event that the back pressure exceeds a predetermined control value in order to divert a fraction of the bypass flow around the flow restrictor for delivery to the pump until such time as the back pressure falls below the control value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid control valve comprising a valve seat, and a nozzle proximate the valve seat. The nozzle includes a convergent section and a divergent section formed by a semi-circular profile. Also disclosed herein is a system for controlled feeding of volatile fuel components from a free space of a fuel tank to an engine manifold, the system comprising a storage chamber in fluid communication with the free space of the fuel tank, and a valve in fluid communication between the storage chamber and the engine manifold. The valve includes a valve seat and a nozzle proximate the valve seat. The nozzle includes a convergent section and a divergent section formed by a semi-circular profile.

Abstract: A rocker button assembly 10 is provided, including a button body 12 and a pivot element 14. At least one noise reducing element 20 covers a portion of the pivot element 14 and thereby reduces the generation of noise generated by the pivot element 14 as the rocker button assembly 10 rotates.

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.

Abstract: A telescopic tripot universal joint comprises an outer drive member having three longitudinal drive channels which include two opposing concave side surfaces having a parabolic profile, 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 parabolic side surface has a radially outward portion having a smaller radius of curvature than a radial inward portion of the parabolic side surface. Moreover, the radius of the inward portion is equal to or greater than the maximum radius of the outer ball thereby assuring the tread face of the outer ball does not bind against the inward portion of the parabolic side surface on the unloaded side.