Abstract: An assembly for sensing travel by a piston in a master cylinder comprises a magnet and a retainer for retaining the magnet proximate the piston. An orientation screw engages an axial slot in the piston to inhibit rotation of the piston.

Abstract: A process of cleaning a component following a forming operation that has left a residue on the component surface. The process comprises a thermal treatment during which the surface of the component is subjected to a controlled open flame, preferably in the presence of a limited amount of excess oxygen. Residues can be removed by the open flame to the extent that adhesion of a coating to the component surface can be greatly enhanced. Surface residue levels prior to the thermal treatment can be reduced by the use of lubricants prepared by diluting with de-ionized water or reverse osmosis water, thereby further increasing the likelihood of a residue-free surface having optimal adhesion properties. Under some circumstances, residue levels can be sufficiently reduced with the use of lubricants diluted with de-ionized or reverse osmosis water such that the thermal treatment can be omitted.

Abstract: A three-piece pressure sensor assembly includes a one-piece pressure port formed of cold rolled steel, a stainless steel sensor element having an elongated annular side-wall, and an O-ring. The pressure port has a threaded slug at one end for attaching the sensor assembly to the wall of a pressure vessel and an annular cup at the other end. The annular cup has side-walls defining a cavity, and an annular axial recess formed in the center of the cavity receives the O-ring and a lower portion of the sensor element side-wall. A central post of the pressure port supports the inner periphery of the sensor element side-wall, and a portion of the pressure port material surrounding the recess is displaced radially inward against the sensor element side-wall, staking the sensor element in the cavity and compressing the O-ring between the sensor element and the bottom of the axial recess.

Abstract: A method of preventing anode oxidation in a fuel cell is disclosed comprising applying a negative current to an anode of said fuel cell, such that the anode is disposed in ionic communication with a cathode through an electrolyte. Oxygen is transferred from the anode through the electrolyte to the cathode. A method preventing anode oxidation in a fuel cell by storing and using a reformate and doping an anode are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system (10) for controllably disabling cylinders in an internal combustion engine (12) includes a throttle (18) controlling air flow to an intake manifold (14), a number of cylinder deactivation devices (1001-100K) and an engine controller (28) controlling fueling (90), ignition timing (94) and throttle position (86). The controller (28) is operable to activate only the minimum number of cylinders required to achieve a desired engine/vehicle operating parameter value, open the throttle (18) to a computed throttle position, control ignition timing sufficiently to drive the current value of the engine/vehicle operating parameter to the desired engine/vehicle operating parameter value, and to then control the flow area of the throttle (18) while also controlling ignition timing to maintain the current value of the engine/vehicle operating parameter near the desired engine/vehicle operating parameter value. The engine/vehicle operating parameter may be engine output torque, engine speed or vehicle speed.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) having a heat exchanger drain assembly (28) comprising a manifold (12) for storing fluid. A drain port (20) is integrally formed with the manifold (12) and is in selective fluid communication with the reservoir (36) for selectively draining the fluid from the manifold (12). A plug (32) is disposed within the drain port (20) for preventing fluid from draining from the manifold (12). The plug (32) is removable from the drain port ((20) for allowing fluid to drain from the manifold (12). A frangible wall (40) is formed between the drain port (20) and the reservoir (36) to close the drain port (20) and create a non-functional drain port (20), thereby preventing fluid communication between the drain port (20) and the reservoir (36). The frangible wall (40) is fracturable to provide the fluid communication between the drain port (20) and the reservoir (36) for draining the fluid from the tank (12).

Abstract: A solder alloy containing indium, lead, silver and copper as its alloying constituents, and a soldering process employing the solder alloy. The solder alloy consists essentially of, by weight, about 50% to about 65% indium, about 0.5% to about 3.0% silver, up to about 3.0% copper, the balance lead and incidental impurities. The alloy preferably has a solidus temperature in a range of about 173° C. to about 178° C., and a liquidus temperature in a range of about 187° C. to about 196° C. As such, the alloy can be used in a reflow process with a peak reflow temperature of about 220° C. to about 240° C., and is therefore compatible with most circuit components and can be simultaneously reflowed with 63Sn-37Pb solder.

Abstract: A brake master cylinder-sensor system and method are provided. The system includes a master cylinder, a piston slidably positioned in the master cylinder, a magnet positioned on the piston, and a sensor disposed on the master cylinder. A change of piston linear position causes a linear change in a magnetic field position sensed by the sensor, and a brake control signal proportional to the change of piston linear position is generated. A method of operating a brake master cylinder-sensor system includes applying a brake pedal force, changing a piston linear position within a master cylinder, determining a change in a linear magnetic field position proportional to the change of the piston linear position, and generating a brake control signal based on the change in the linear magnetic field position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an HVAC fan control that includes a front fan switch, controller, rear fan switch, rear fan control circuit and a fan motor. The front fan switch and the rear fan switch electrically connect to the controller. Also, the fan motor is electrically connected to the rear fan control circuit and a front fan switch. Accordingly, the controller is responsive to inputs form the rear fan switch to operate the rear fan control circuit and select a desired fan motor speed when a logical ON condition is provided by the front fan switch.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted in opposing relation to the knees of a vehicle occupant. The bolster is an expansible chamber of multipiece construction having a face portion and a separate three dimensional expansible body portion. The face portion and body portion are joined about their peripheries to define and substantially enclose the chamber. The expansible body portion is formed from injection molded polymeric material and has one or more integrally molded at least partially collapsible pleated profile elements disposed along the sides and across the top of the body portion in raised and lowered profile with respect to the face portion. Deformable mounting brackets extend outwardly from the body portion for attachment to the vehicle. The materials forming the face and body portions are of either similar or dissimilar chemical and physical character.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical conductor having a flat cross-section which has an electrically conducting material which is embedded in an electrically insulating material provided with hooks or loops.

Abstract: A motor system includes an electric motor, a shaft extending through the motor and through a magnetorheological fluid stopper, which comprises a rotor and a stator in operable communication with the rotor. A magnetorheological fluid is disposed at the rotor and the stator.

Abstract: An automotive climate control for a motor vehicle includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible conductive switch pad and a temperature sensor. The flexible conductive switch pad includes a structure that is formed in conjunction with the flexible conductive switch pad. A switch dome of the flexible conductive switch pad is shaped to make electrical contact with switch contacts formed on the PCB responsive to activation of the switch dome. A portion of the structure includes a thermally conductive elastomer and the temperature sensor is positioned within the structure and electrically coupled to sensor contacts on the PCB.

Abstract: A powertrain mount comprises an upper orifice plate, a lower orifice plate, and a generally planar diaphragm having an enlarged central node. The central node is in constant contact with the upper orifice plate and in contact with the lower orifice plate. A periphery of the diaphragm is free to move between the upper orifice plate and the lower orifice plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle damper assembly and method of assembling the same. The vehicle damper assembly includes a damper including a reservoir tube and a stabilizer bracket operably attached to the reservoir tube. The vehicle damper assembly further includes a lower spring seat press-fit to the reservoir tube and stabilizer bracket. The vehicle damper assembly method includes providing a reservoir tube, attaching a stabilizer bracket to the reservoir tube, and press-fitting a lower spring seat to the reservoir tube and the stabilizer bracket.

Abstract: A magnetron sputter deposition process for producing a thin film alloy exhibiting shape memory characteristics comprising conducting the sputter deposition using krypton as process gas, depositing the alloy onto heated substrate so secondary annealing is unnecessary, and using a sputter target titanium, nickel and/or palladium in proportions so as to produce a thin film alloy of a composition having a titanium content ranging from at least about 50 atomic percent to less than about 52 atomic percent.

Abstract: A heat sink for cooling electrical or electronic devices comprises a base plate having a top surface and having a bottom surface for attaching to the electronic device. A folded fin formed from a strip of heat conducting material includes alternating planar portions and curved portions has one edge abutted to the top surface such that the curved portions extend upwardly from the top surface substantially at a right angle. Each planar portion has a plurality of louvers formed therein wherein the louvers are substantially parallel one to the other and perpendicular to the base plate.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus including a primary and a secondary winding for producing a spark voltage, an ion current detection circuit for producing an ion current signal, a slope detector and a knock detector. The slope detector determines when the ion current signal exhibits a slope indicative of a time period when knock is likely to occur, and de-asserts a knock reset signal. The knock reset signal holds the knock detector in reset, thus disallowing or masking the processing of signals by the knock detector that may be mistaken for knock.

Abstract: A liquid-cooled heat sink for use in combination with a heat exchanger to cool electronic or electrical devices attached to said heat sink comprises a metal block having a plurality of circular passageways therethrough defined by cylindrical walls. An inlet is in fluid communication with one end of the passageways for receiving a cooling liquid, and an outlet is in fluid communication with an opposite end of the passageways for outputting the cooling liquid. At least one tape insert is mounted within at least one of the circular passageways, wherein the tape insert longitudinally bisects the circular passageway and further wherein edges of the tape insert abut cylindrical wall.

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.