Abstract: A solenoid valve includes an outlet tube and a plunger stop. A plunger is slidably disposed within the solenoid valve between the outlet tube and the plunger stop. The plunger is movable between a closed position wherein the plunger engages the outlet tube to block fluid flow there through and an open position wherein the plunger is distanced from the outlet tube to permit fluid flow there through. The plunger includes a plunger insert that forms a dome-shaped plunger stop cushion that, during opening of the valve at least partially contacts a flat plunger contact face formed by the plunger stop. The dome-shaped plunger stop cushion relatively effectively damps the impact between the plunger and the plunger stop by allowing the plunger insert material, e.g., rubber, to compress more and absorb more energy of the impact. Thus, signal noise caused by the solenoid valve is minimized.

Abstract: A shim is provided which can be used in a connector system, whereby a flexible connector having contact surfaces is compressed against an electronic circuit board by a resilient material. The shim is incorporated between the resilient material and the flexible connector contact surfaces so as to uniformly transfer the load from the resilient material to the contact surfaces. Moreover, the shim prevents the resilient material from taking a set and the flexible connector from draping when operating under hot and/or high load conditions.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal system has a first pedal pivotally attached to the translatable nut of a first jack screw actuator for adjusting the fore and aft position of the first pedal and a second pedal pivotally attached to the translatable nut of a second jack screw actuator for adjusting the fore and aft position of the second pedal. An electric motor drives the translatable nuts fore and aft, and a fail-safe device that includes a motor control switch operated by the fore and aft movements of two of the nuts limits misalignment of the two pedals due to adjustments.

Abstract: A method for producing thin film deposits of ternary shape-memory alloys using an ion sputtering deposition process comprising using a hot pressed metal powder composition target.

Abstract: A multi layer thermoplastic polymer alloy is provided. The multi layer alloy includes a skin of thermoplastic polymer alloy having non-polar segments and a tie-layer having non-polar segments and polar functional groups. The non-polar segments of the tie-layer are bondable with the non-polar segments of the thermoplastic polymer alloy skin. Similarly, the polar functional groups of the tie-layer are bondable or reactable with a surface layer.

Abstract: The lower bracket assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a lower column support bracket with a central passage. A lower bearing adapter slides into the central passage from the rear. A pair of energy absorption straps engage the column support bracket and the lower bearing adapter and resist further forward movement of the lower bearing adapter. During a collision, the energy absorption straps absorb energy while permitting the lower bearing adapter to move forward and out of the central passage through the column support bracket.

Abstract: A warning system that warns an operator of an impending collision with an object while the operator is backing up. The system scans behind the vehicle with an emitter/sensor system and determines a time-to-collision with the object based on distance to the object and vehicle speed. Based upon the time-to-collision, a simple combination of visual and audio signals is designed to let the operator known of the imminency of a collision with the object so that the operator may react and make appropriate countermeasures.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly for a vehicle equipped with an electronic or “brake-by-wire” braking system includes a brake pedal feel emulator which mimics or emulates the pedal feel of a conventional hydraulic braking system. The brake pedal feel emulator includes a single cantilever spring which reacts against a shaped surface and is mounted such that the free end thereof applies a force to the brake pedal which varies as the point at which the spring diverges from the shaped surface changes in response to movement of the brake pedal. The free length of the spring is therefor varied as the pedal is depressed as a function of the shape of the shaped surface, so the force applied to the pedal may be designed to vary to emulate the feel of a conventional braking system.

Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly 10 is provided, including a substrate 14 having at least one substrate contact surface 18, an integrated circuit device 12 having at least one first contact surface 16, and a bar bond element 22. The bar bond element 22 provides communication between the at least one substrate contact surface 18 and the at least one first contact surface 16. The bar bond element 22 includes a conductive plate element 23 having an integrated circuit foot portion 24, a substrate foot portion 26 and a strain relief loop 46 positioned between the integrated circuit foot portion 24 and the substrate foot portion 26.

Abstract: A variable power steering system for a motor vehicle is responsive to an activity signal from a vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system and a lateral surface coefficient of friction estimator to modify steering assist in an amount dependent on the estimated surface coefficient when the vehicle stability enhancement system is active. The modification is phased in and out with slew limiting in steps also determined by the estimated lateral surface coefficient, with both the maximum modification and the step size varying inversely with lateral surface coefficient. The system preferably determines offset current values for the VSE system and estimated lateral acceleration, as well as for any other vehicle traction limit handling systems such as anti-lock braking (ABS) or traction control (TCS) and chooses the greatest in magnitude as a road surface adaptation offset current for addition to a vehicle speed offset current to provide a total current signal for the modification.

Abstract: A method of NOx abatement comprising the steps of generating a gas stream containing hydrocarbons and NOx, maintaining the temperature of the gas stream within the range of about 150° C. to about 550° C., maintaining the residence time of said hydrocarbons upstream of a NOx abatement catalyst so as to reduce the rate of hydrocarbon oxidation, and contacting the gas stream with said NOx abatement catalyst.

Abstract: A variable valve actuating mechanism includes an output cam configured for being pivotally disposed upon an input shaft. A first link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the output cam. A rocker arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to a second end of the link arm. A first frame member is configured for being pivotally disposed upon the input shaft. Lash adjusting means pivotally couple together a first end of the first frame member and a second end of the rocker arm. The lash adjusting means adjusts the position of the rocker arm relative to the input shaft.

Abstract: An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions and an air bag cushion including an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state. At least one profile restraining tether element is operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion.

Abstract: A motion control for electromagnetic valves including a follower connected with a valve for reciprocating motion, and a restraint operable on the follower to slow the valve motion and reduce the force of engagement of the valve with the valve seat and the stop. The restraint may include one of hydraulic and mechanical motion constraining devices. A hydraulic restraint device includes a hydraulic piston reciprocable within a fluid-filled reservoir having first and second chambers connected by a bypass passage and a flow tube. Fluid flow through the bypass passage and flow tube is regulated by the position of the piston relative to the bypass passage such that valve motion is slowed when fluid flow is restricted. A mechanical restraint device includes a pin and track assembly operative to develop rotational motion of the valve for slowing the valve motion.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation assembly for actuation of an engine intake valve between low-lift and high-lift modes. The VVA assembly includes a special rocker assembly having a pivotable central high-lift cam follower and two peripheral low-lift cam followers; a camshaft having low-lift and high-lift lobes engageable with the respective cam followers; a primary latching assembly including a slidable primary latching pin in the rocker assembly for engaging and disengaging the high-lift follower; a solenoid for causing the primary latching pin to be engaged and disengaged; and a secondary latching mechanism between the solenoid and the primary latching pin to automatically limit engagement and disengagement of the primary latching pin to times in the duty cycle of the camshaft (during lift events) when ejections of the primary latching pin are not possible.

Abstract: A catalytic converter is constructed by measuring a substrate to be placed within the outer shell or can, wrapping the substrate in a selected mat and loading the package (mat and substrate) into the can. The can is larger than it will be at completion of manufacture to render such loading easier. Subsequent to loading, the measurement of the substrate is used to direct the degree to which the can is reduced in outside dimension such that a selected annulus is created between the substrate and can, said annulus being occupied by said mat.

Abstract: A hydraulic manifold assembly for variable actuation of engine valves. First and second plates have portions of flow passages integrally molded therein. The plates are formed preferably by injection molding of a suitable polymer, for example, glass-filled PPA, and are joined together as by cementing or preferably by fusion welding along mating surfaces to form the full pattern of flow passages. The assembly further comprises a retainer for retaining a plurality of individual solenoid-actuated valves in sockets formed in the plates. The retainer is similarly formed preferably by injection molding of a suitable polymer and is formed to function simultaneously as a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) baffle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing ternary shape-memory alloy films employing sputtering process techniques using krypton as a process gas.

Abstract: A mount assembly for a vehicle suspension strut includes a mount plate assembly having upper and lower plate members secured together and supporting a cushion member. The cushion member is secured to a retainer which is secured directly to a damper piston rod or through a bearing assembly. Multiple load paths may be provided by a bumper mounted on a spring seat member secured to the piston rod and engageable with the lower plate of the plate assembly for transferring jounce loads directly to the vehicle body structure. The steering bearing may be mounted to engage the lower plate for transferring loads directly through the bearing and the lower plate to the body structure. The plate assembly may include a composite upper plate member.

Abstract: An improved dehumidification system for automotive use includes a rotating, wheel like heat exchanger with axially open cells that carry a water adsorbing material. Opposed ambient air and heated air flows, covering opposite halves of the wheel, continually adsorb water on one side and are recharged on the other side. Alternating radially closed cells between the axially open cells carry no desiccant material, but receive a cross cooling flow, on the water adsorbing side of the wheel only, to remove the heat released during the water adsorption process. The desiccant recharging process on the other side of the wheel is not disturbed by the cross cooling flow.