Abstract: A structural member for providing a structural load path from a structural system to the floor of a vehicle is provided. The structural member has a stud plate with a plurality of studs extending therefrom. The studs are adapted to structurally connect to the steering column support structure, the structural system, and the center brace. The center brace also includes a plurality of molded attachment features for integrally attaching vehicle components to the center brace.

Abstract: A vehicle warning system and method. A detector is onboard a first vehicle and automatically detects a travel condition problem encountered by the first vehicle at a first location. A vehicle position locator automatically determines the first location of the first vehicle. A communicator automatically transmits the determined first location and the detected travel condition problem to a second location. In one example, the vehicle is an automotive vehicle, and the second location is a communications center which transmits the determined first location and the detected travel condition problem (such as an icy roadway or a traffic jam) to only those other vehicles headed toward the first location.

Abstract: A selectable load limiting seat restraint retractor for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a take-up spool connected to webbing of a seat restraint system for winding and unwinding the webbing. The selectable load limiting seat restraint retractor further includes a rotatable first torsion bar to provide a first level of load limiting on the webbing during an impact. The selectable load limiting seat restraint retractor includes a rotatable second torsion bar orientated parallel to the first torsion bar to provide a second level of load limiting on the webbing during an impact. The second level of load limiting is less than the first level of load limiting. The selectable load limiting seat restraint retractor further includes a selectable load limiting mechanism cooperating with the first torsion bar and the second torsion bar to select between the first level of load limiting and the second level of load limiting to provide digressive load limiting on the webbing during an impact.

Abstract: A fuel system arranged to deliver fuel at high pressure to a fuel injector through a high pressure fuel line defined, at least in part, within first and second housing parts of a pressure relief valve arrangement. The first and second housing parts define first and second separable valve surfaces respectively. A clamping arrangement is provided for applying a clamping load to the first and second housing parts so as to urge first and second valve surfaces respectively thereof into substantially sealing engagement. The clamping arrangement is arranged to permit separation of the first and second valve surfaces in the event that fuel pressure within the high pressure fuel line exceeds a predetermined amount, thereby to permit fuel within the high pressure fuel line to flow to a region of relatively low pressure to relieve fuel pressure within the high pressure fuel line.

Abstract: A target wheel sensor assembly includes a sensor that is placed near a target wheel. The sensor includes a magnet to create a flux and a sensing element to sense changes in the flux as the target wheel rotates. The target wheel is alternatingly formed with multiple teeth and multiple slots. Each tooth includes a flat portion that is parallel to the bottom of the sensor and a chamfered portion contiguous to the flat portion. The chamfered portion forms an angle, &agr;, with the bottom of the sensor. As the target wheel rotates, the shape of the teeth in conjunction with the slots cause the sensor to output an asymmetric signal. The shape of the signal is used to determine the direction of motion of the target wheel.

Abstract: A tandem vacuum booster includes an internal air passage connection between primary and secondary high pressure chambers of the booster, and extending through a primary low pressure chamber of the booster. The internal air passage connection includes a tubular collar extending longitudinally from a divider separating the secondary high pressure and primary low pressure chambers, and an extensible air tube extending through and from a primary diaphragm of the booster, with the primary diaphragm defining the boundary between the primary high and low pressure chambers. The collar includes an outer surface thereof adapted for receiving a distal end of the extensible air tube extending over a portion of the outer surface of the collar. The distal ends of the collar and the air tube include elements for retaining and/or sealing the distal end of the extensible tube against the outer surface of the collar.

Abstract: The represent invention relates to a method of backlighting a liquid crystal display which includes heating a fluorescent lamp with an external heating element which does not contact the lamp. The heating step may be accomplished by passing a current through a resistive material. The resistive material may be coated on to a surface. The present invention also relates to a backlighting system with a fluorescent lamp and an external heating element which does not contact the fluorescent lamp. The heating element may be a resistive material coated on a substrate. The present invention also relates to a portable display device element includes a liquid crystal display, a fluorescent lamp to act as a backlight, a heating element which does not contact the fluorescent lamp and optionally including reflectors, diffusers, and optical enhancement films. The heating element may be a resistive material coated on a substrate.

Abstract: An electric power steering system includes a steering wheel, a voltage-controlled electric assist motor connected to the steering wheel or column, and an electronic controller electrically connected to the assist motor that receives a first signal representing a torque command to the assist motor and a second signal representing an angular velocity of the assist motor, and produces a voltage signal according to an assist-dependent damping function of the first and second signals, and uses the voltage signal to control the voltage-controlled electric assist motor in response to the assist-dependent damping function.

Abstract: An improved method of selectively suppressing deployment of a vehicular inflatable restraint utilizes both static and dynamic variation in the measured capacitance of a vehicle occupant in a complementary manner that reduces overall system variability. The decision to allow or suppress deployment of the restraint is determined based on a comparison of the static capacitance reading with at least one threshold, and the dynamic variation of the measured capacitance and other parameters such as seat belt tension, seat humidity and seat temperature are used to adjust the threshold in a direction to minimize the overall variability of the system. In a preferred embodiment, the variation of the measured capacitance with respect to the variation in vertical acceleration of the vehicle is used to estimate the free capacitance of the occupant, and such free capacitance is used to adjust the threshold.

Abstract: An image illumination apparatus for backlighting a portion of a liquid crystal display. The apparatus includes a light source generating an illuminating light, a light shielding medium located between the light source and a display grid, and an aperture formed in the light shielding medium for allowing the transmission of light generated by the light source to pass to a lighted portion of the display grid. The light shielding medium prevents light from being transmitted to a non-lighted portion of the display grid.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a housing, a plurality of conductive terminals supported within the housing, and a flange extending outward from the housing is disclosed. The flange has a single mounting notch therein that is formed during the manufacturing process to adapt the connector for use in a particular angular mounting position. A method of manufacturing such an electrical connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a device comprises disposing a first end around a second end, disposing an induction coil around the first end, discharging a current through the induction coil, forming eddy currents on the surface of the first end, and magnetic impulse sizing the first end and the second end together. The first end disposed around the second end comprises a tube end disposed around an end of the device or the first end disposed around the second end comprises the device end disposed around the tube end.

Abstract: A battery protection system for a battery having a switching mechanism positioned intermediate to the positive terminal and an electrical load of the battery. A controller manipulates the switching mechanism between an open position and a closed position, the closed position connects the electrical load to the battery and the open position disconnects the electrical load from the battery. The battery protection system utilizes a battery state-of-charge detection system, which instructs the controller to open the switching mechanism when the detection system detects a battery state-of-charge that is lower than a threshold value. The battery protection system is also equipped with a vehicle status detection system, which instructs the controller to close the switching mechanism when a vehicle startup condition is detected by the vehicle status detection system.

Abstract: A coil assembly includes a spool that is rotatably attached to a connector. In order to wind a coil on the spool, the spool is rotated with respect to the connector until the connector does not interfere with the winding bay on the spool. Thereafter, a wire is wound around the spool within the winding bay to form the coil. Once the coil is complete, the spool can be rotated with respect to the connector until a locking mechanism on the spool engages a corresponding locking mechanism on the connector. Thus, a complete coil assembly can be manufactured in one operation with minimal manufacturing steps.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing aluminum and aluminum alloy surfaces in heat exchangers for brazing by depositing thereon a kinetic sprayed brazing composition. The process simultaneously deposits monolith or composite coatings that can include all braze materials and corrosion protection materials used in the brazing of aluminum fins to plates and tubes in a single stage.

Abstract: An axially, slidable brake disc system employs leaf springs between a hub of a suspension casting or knuckle to float the brake discs for axial sliding movement, while holding the discs against wobbling, and employs brake pads which are biased by springs to float on a stationary bridge so that the contact between the brake pads and discs is a light random contact thereby resulting in reduced residual torque drag and disc thickness variation. The rotating brake discs will shift axially, slightly from the braking position to the off-brake position with the brake pads urged by their spring forces to keep their pad faces parallel to and slightly spaced from adjacent brake disc surfaces to prevent corner engagement and localized rubbing contact thereby reducing pad wear, residual drag torque and disc thickness variation. The brake force applicator may be mounted at a 12:00 position and in an integral bore in the suspension knuckle to reduce the size, weight, and space envelope of the braking system.

Abstract: The present invention generally includes a composite fuel rail with integral damping provided by flat sections, molded into the rail conduit, that flex in response to a pressure pulsation and a co-injected composite laminate structure wherein the compounds of the laminates can be selectively varied to provide impact resistance, chemical resistance and a vapor permeation barrier, as needed.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump includes a housing, a primary discharge outlet, an auxiliary discharge outlet, and a flow control valve for controlling fluid flow from the primary and auxiliary discharge outlets. A first fluid passageway within the housing passes fluid from a first discharge port to the primary discharge outlet, and a second fluid passageway within the housing passes fluid from a second discharge port to a common port of the flow control valve. In a first position, the valve directs fluid from the second discharge port to the primary discharge outlet. In a second position, the valve diverts fluid from the second discharge port to the auxiliary discharge outlet. The valve may be positioned in response to such operating conditions as excessive pressure differential between the high and low-pressure sides, excessive pump rate of rotation (RPM), or excessive rate of fluid flow, among others.

Abstract: Tilt and vibration sensor and method for forming the sensor with a piezoresistive membrane having a weight affixed proximate its center for detecting the tilt and vibration of a body. The membrane may include four piezoresistors placed proximate the edges of the membrane at the points of maximum stress when the membrane is subject to a uniform applied pressure. The piezoresistors may form a Wheatstone bridge circuit to generate a first and second output voltage in response to changes in resistance of the piezoresistors under the uniform applied pressure. The first output voltage may be indicative of the angle of inclination of a body and the second output voltage may be indicative of the vibration of the body. The membrane may be fabricated from a silicon wafer using known photolithography and etching processes. The membrane may be connected with a voltage source and secured within an appropriate housing to be placed in an operational environment.

Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting a vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system. The VSE system is used in conjunction with a steering system having a plurality of driver-selectable steering modes associated therewith. The method includes configuring a reference model within the VSE system to generate desired vehicle handling aspects, the desired vehicle handling aspects being a function of one or more driver inputs to the steering system. Then, a determination is made as to which of the plurality of driver-selectable steering modes is activated, wherein each of the desired vehicle handling aspects generated is made further dependent upon a specific steering mode selected, and wherein the desired vehicle handling aspects include a desired steady state yaw rate; and the one or more driver inputs includes an effective road wheel position.