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. 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. When the latch member is disengaged from the slider member, the slider member slides within the follower body. The body is provided with a stud extending from an upper surface thereof and formed as an extension of the passage for supporting the slider over a greater length thereof such that a counter-torque moment on the slider in the passage is reduced.

Abstract: An improved method of diagnosing shaft sensor failure in a reciprocating internal combustion engine verifies engine rotation by sensor information responsive to dynamic variation in engine air intake that occurs during engine rotation. Failure of the shaft sensor is diagnosed when the dynamic variation in engine air intake is detected in the absence of a shaft sensor signal. The sensor information used to detect the dynamic variation in intake air may be obtained from either a mass air flow sensor disposed in a throttle passage of the engine, or from a pressure sensor disposed in an intake manifold of the engine, and virtually all current engine control systems utilize at least one of these sensors. The dynamic variation is detected by recognizing rising and falling segments of the signal waveform, by comparing the relative manifold pressure to predetermined maximum and minimum values, or by using a derivative of the signal waveform to recognize its inflection points.

Abstract: An automatically acting braking system for a stepper motor (10) of the type having a rotor (18) that is radially centered within a stationary stator (12) and which rotates about the central axis of a central shaft (30). The rotor (18) is allowed to axially slide back and forth, biased in one direction continually by a resilient means (40). When the stator (12) is energized, it pulls the rotor (18) to an axially centered position within stator (12), but when it is de energized, the resilient means (40) pushes the rotor (18) to one side, lockingly engaging its teeth (24) with the teeth (44) of a fixed locking ring (42).

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column of a vehicle includes an M-shaped plastically deformable strap for imposing a resistance to collapse of the steering column when the steering column collapses in a vehicle collision. An anvil adjusts the resistance to collapse imposed on the steering column by the strap. A controller produces a signal of a magnitude indicative of an amount of resistance needed to be imposed on the steering column by the strap to better protect from injury a driver seated behind the steering column at the time of the collision. An actuator receives the signal and actuates the anvil to adjust the amount of resistance imposed by the strap in accordance with the magnitude of the signal.

Abstract: A collapsible push rod for a brake booster in a vehicle is provided, having first and second telescoping members, and retractable locking means for selectively locking the first and second members together against telescoping. During a frontal impact collision, the members telescope into one another to shorten the length of the push rod and compensate for rearward movement of the brake booster and forward movement of the driver. The push rod is operable in the collapsed state. The push rod is also re-settable after the collision, and includes features for returning the push rod to its normal un-telescoped length following the collision, if the push rod is not damaged in the collision. The retractable locking means includes an electrically actuated solenoid for selectively locking and unlocking the first and second members against telescoping, in response to an electrical signal applied to the solenoid.

Abstract: A member for producing an audible sound in a vehicle including a speaker area having an upper surface and a lower surface, the speaker area being located on the member. A piezo bimorph is attached to the speaker area, the piezo bimorph including a first piezoelectric element attached to the upper surface of the speaker area, and a second piezoelectric element attached to the lower surface of the speaker area. An amplifier in electrical communication with the piezo bimorph, the amplifier supplying an electrical field to the piezo bimorph, the piezo bimorph causing the speaker area and the member to vibrate, causing an audible sound.

Abstract: A self-adjusting cup holder is provided. The cup holder includes a receiving area, compensating levers, and biasing members for biasing the compensating levers to a first position. The receiving area is configured to receive a portion of a drinking vessel. The compensating levers are disposed in slots defined in the wall of the receiving area. A first end of the compensating levers is pivotally connected to a portion of the wall such that a first edge of the levers is movable between the first position and a second position. The first edge is within the receiving area when the levers are in the first position. The first edge is farther from the sidewall in the first position than in the second position.

Abstract: A method of swing out compensation in a vehicle with rear wheel steering, comprising: obtaining a zero speed status signal representative of when a vehicle is at zero speed; establishing a rear wheel angle threshold; obtaining a calculated rear wheel angle; and generating a commanded rear wheel angle responsive to the rear wheel angle threshold and the calculated rear wheel angle, whichever is of smaller magnitude. A swing out compensation system for a vehicle with rear wheel steering, the system comprising: a controller; and a rear steering mechanism in communication with and responsive to the controller; wherein the controller generates a commanded rear wheel angle responsive to one of a rear wheel angle threshold and a calculated rear wheel angle, whichever is of smaller magnitude.

Abstract: The invention provides a drilling apparatus and method for drilling a hole in a workpiece. The drilling apparatus includes means for rotating a drill bit and means for advancing the rotating drill bit into a workpiece to a first depth. The drilling apparatus further includes means for dwelling the drill bit within the workpiece at the first depth for a dwell time and means for further advancing the rotating bit to a second depth after the dwell time has expired. The drilling method includes rotating a drill bit and advancing the rotating drill bit into the workpiece to a first depth. The method farther includes dwelling the drill bit within the workpiece at the first depth for a dwell time and further advancing the rotating bit to a second depth after the dwell time has expired.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method for producing a gas sensor, comprises: disposing said gas sensor in a basic agent solution comprising a basic agent comprises a hydroxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of Group IA of the Periodic Table of Elements; Group IIA of the Periodic Table of Elements, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing basic agents, wherein said gas sensor comprises an electrolyte disposed between and in ionic communication with a first electrode and a second electrode; and disposing said gas sensor in an acidic agent solution.

Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the vehicle roof and connected to the liftgate for opening and closing the liftgate. Each drive unit includes a bracket that is secured to the vehicle body for supporting several parts including a reversible electric motor, a gear unit and a housing having a forward linear track and a contiguous rearward curved track. The electric motor drives a segmented drive linkage disposed in the housing via the gear unit. The segmented drive linkage includes an elongated arcuate link that is guided by the rearward curved track, a linear rack link that is guided by the forward linear track, and an intermediate link that has an outer end that is pivotally attached to an inner end of the arcuate link and an inner end that is pivotally attached to a midpoint of the linear rack link.

Abstract: In a combination of a motor-vehicle door, in particular, that of a passenger car or commercial vehicle, and a storage box that is used to accommodate utensils, objects, etc., the storage box has a shell, which includes a lower segment and an upper segment. The vehicle door includes an interior trim panel, which has a storage compartment open at the top. The inner contour of the storage compartment is shaped to be complementary to the outer contour of the lower shell segment, so that the lower shell segment may be vertically inserted into the storage compartment, the upper shell segment then projecting upwards from the storage compartment, and laterally resting against an essentially vertical panel of the interior trim panel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring the wear of brake linings in a disc brake assembly having a caliper mounted in a floating manner on a mounting bracket, by determining a relative distance between the caliper and bracket. Determining the relative distance may be accomplished by attaching a first housing to the mounting bracket, and attaching a second housing to the caliper, with the first and second housings each including a bore facing one another, and aligning the bores with respect to one another along a common translational axis. A plunger inserted in the bores moves along the translational axis within the bores in proportion to lining wear, and the remaining lining thickness is monitored by determining a position of the plunger along the translational axis within the bores. The position of the plunger in the bores may be used for initiating a change in electrical state of an electrical circuit indicative of the relative axial distance of the caliper from the bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system coupled to a steerable wheel, comprising a steering rack linked to said steerable wheel, an electric motor having an output shaft engaged with the steering rack for controlling the steerable wheel. The system also includes a position sensor configured to measure an actual steerable wheel angle of the steering rack and thereby the steerable wheel, a return spring, where the return spring is biased so as to provide a returning force to the steering rack. Finally, the system includes a controller that provides a command to the electric motor resulting in a torque, the command is responsive to the actual steerable wheel angle, a desired steerable wheel angle, and a command direction.

Abstract: An electronics assembly 10 is provided, including a housing 12 and at least one electronic power device 18 positioned within. A heat sink device 34 is positioned within the housing 12 and is in thermal communication with the electronic power device 18. The heat sink device 34 includes a fluid vessel 44, a fluid input port 50, a fluid output port 52, and at least one fin insert 60 brazed into the fluid vessel 44. The heat sink device 34 is in fluid communication with an automotive radiator 46 such that coolant 48 flows from the automotive radiator 46 through the fluid vessel 44 thereby cooling the electronic power device 18.

Abstract: A multiple contact fluid pressure switch includes a plate from which a rib extends to establish a cavity on the plate. Two lower contacts are on the plate within the cavity. A diaphragm is disposed on the rib to enclose the cavity. Further, an upper contact is disposed on the diaphragm directly above the lower contacts. The multiple contact fluid pressure switch is movable between an open position wherein the upper contact does not engage the lower contacts, a first closed position wherein the upper contact engages one lower contact, and a second closed position wherein the upper contact engages both lower contacts.

Abstract: A method for attaching parts together includes several steps. A metal-core consumable welding wire is obtained in one step. In another step, the parts (such as a ring and a base cup of a cylinder of a damper, such as a vehicle shock absorber) are positioned to create a joint line for welding the parts together. An additional step includes gas metal arc welding the positioned parts together using the metal core wire at a negative electrical welding potential relative to the parts creating a weldment along the joint line. In one example, during welding, the parts have a positive electrical welding potential, and the wire is electrically grounded.

Abstract: A vane-type cam phaser wherein a realtime method of measuring the axial position of the phaser's locking pin is provided. A magnet is fixed to the nose portion of the locking pin. A Hall-effect sensor is attached to the stator of the phaser in proximity to the magnet. As the locking pin moves through its range of travel, the magnet moves either toward or away from the sensor resulting in a proportional increase or decrease in sensor output voltage. By reading the voltage output, the axial position of the locking pin can be determined.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling a permanent magnet machine are provided. The method provides a sensor assembly for sensing rotor sector position relative to a plurality of angular sectors. The method further provides a sensor for sensing angular increments in rotor position. The method allows starting the machine in a brushless direct current mode of operation using a calculated initial rotor position based on an initial angular sector position information from the sensor assembly. Upon determining a transition from the initial angular sector to the next angular sector, the method allows switching to a sinusoidal mode of operation using rotor position based on rotor position information from the incremental sensor.

Abstract: An improved engine fuel control detects combustion instability due to the use of high DI fuel during cold start and warm-up and compensates the fuel control for detected combustion instability through temporary enrichment of the delivered air/fuel ratio. The usage of high DI fuel is detected during an engine idle period following starting by monitoring the engine speed to identify an engine speed excursion more than a calibrated percentage below the desired idle speed. The detection method is enabled under specified environmental conditions, provided the engine run time is greater than a specified time and the engine temperature is within a specified range. Additionally, the method is disabled for a prescribed period following commanded load transitions associated with the air conditioning system and the automatic transmission.