Abstract: A cover assembly including a cover member and a cover displacement mechanism is provided. The cover displacement mechanism positions the cover within a vehicle about an opening formed in the vehicle. The cover selectively separates an interior of the vehicle from an exterior of the vehicle at the opening.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a high voltage (HV) terminal formed of stamped sheet metal attached to a secondary winding spool, and to which a high voltage end of the secondary winding is soldered. The ignition apparatus further includes an electrically conductive cup formed of stamped aluminum or brass that is disposed in a case and is configured to receive the high voltage terminal when the secondary winding spool is inserted in the case. The high voltage terminal has a spring tab or the like that is biased radially outwardly into engagement with an inner annular surface of the cup. A bottom outer surface of the cup is arranged to be engaged by a high voltage spring or the like for making the connection to the spark plug. The cup is substantially free of burrs, sharp edges, and the like, and therefore reduces localized occurrences of high electric field concentrations, which could otherwise lead to insulating material, and thus ignition coil, failure.

Abstract: An improved method of identifying the cylinder combustion sequence of a four-stroke internal combustion engine accepts of rejects an assumed combustion sequence based on measured ion current combustion quality (CQ) indications. Individual CQ indications for the various engine cylinders are algebraically combined as a function of the assumed combustion sequence so that the combined CQ indication increases in a first polarity if the assumed combustion sequence is correct, and in a second polarity if the assumed combustion sequence is incorrect. When the absolute value of the combined CQ indication exceeds a threshold, the polarity of the combined CQ indication is used to either accept or reject the assumed combustion sequence.

Abstract: An improved four-bar hinge assembly for attaching a trunk deck lid to a vehicle body in which the control link of the four-bar linkage has its usual vehicle-mounted pivot pin replaced by the rotatably driven output drive shaft of a power drive mechanism that is rigidly and directly coupled to the control link to swing to the same and thereby power actuate the four-bar linkage in order to pivot the deck lid between open and closed positions. The hinge elements are located on the weather side of the vehicle body components and the drive shaft extends through the vehicle sheet metal into the weather sealed trunk compartment so that the electro-mechanical drive components are mounted within the weather sealed trunk.

Abstract: A control valve assembly for the rotary or linear actuation of control valves using contactless technology and the use of direct integration of electronic componentry into a lead frame interconnection assembly includes a contactless motor, a control valve in mechanical communication with the contactless motor through a gear system, and a lead frame interconnection assembly having electronic componentry relevant to the contactless motor and the control valve integrally formed therein. The contactless motor includes a commutator magnet disposed on a rotor shaft thereof. The commutator magnet is in magnetic communication with at least two commutator chips integrally formed with the lead frame interconnection assembly. The control valve includes a throttle element disposed in a throttle bore, an output shaft depending from the throttle element, and at least one position sensing magnet disposed on an end of the output shaft distal from the throttle element.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a body having a nozzle end and a connector end. The body defines a side feed opening disposed between said nozzle end and said connector end. An injection assembly is disposed in the nozzle end and includes an actuating coil, a value actuated by the coil, and a valve seat operably associated with the valve.

Abstract: A disc brake system comprising a disc, and a hub which is arranged to rotate about an axis thereof. The system also comprises a mounting arrangement by which the disc is mounted on the hub so that the hub and the disc rotate as a unit about the axis and the disc can perform axial sliding movement on the hub. The system also comprises a plurality of leaf springs mounted on the hub and engaging the disc so that the springs apply radially-directed forces between the disc and the hub. Each of the springs comprises at least three abutments which project transversely of the spring and engage the disc so that the abutments apply forces to the disc.

Abstract: A tension sensing switch assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for operative connection to the seat restraint system and a spring at least partially disposed in the housing for operatively cooperating with vehicle structure. The tension sensing switch assembly also includes a switch disposed in the housing and cooperable with the spring to indicate a first tension level and a second tension level in the seat restraint system when the spring is deflected.

Abstract: A gear reduction mechanism includes a gearbox housing, a first gear having a first axis of rotation about a first shaft and the second gear having a second axis of rotation about a second shaft. The first and second gears are rotatably mounted in a gearbox housing so that the first and second gears mesh with each other such that the first axis of the first gear is substantially perpendicular to the second axis of the second gear. The gear isolator assembly is preferably disposed within the gearbox housing about the second gear for reducing noise generated between the first and second gears during operation of the mechanism.

Abstract: A process of laser welding high carbon martensitic stainless steel components and austenitic stainless steel components by a stabilized ferritic stainless steel fusion zone modifier in the weld joint, and articles formed therefrom. The stabilized ferritic stainless steel fusion zone modifier comprises, in terms of weight percentage, from about 10% to about 35% chromium, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of no more than about 1.5% titanium and no more than about 1.5% columbium. The stabilized ferritic stainless steel fusion zone modifier present in the fusion zone inhibits and prevents solidification cracks and micro-fissures from forming in the weld joint, and assists immunity to environmental degradation.

Abstract: A modular, snap-together clamping system for electrically interconnecting two printed circuit boards using a flexible circuit is provided. The clamping system comprises two inboard clamp members which are configured to cooperate with two generally complimentary outboard clamp members, so as to capture a portion of each of the printed circuit boards along with two end portions of the flexible circuit between the inboard clamp members and the outboard clamp members in a manner which facilitates electrical connection of each of the two printed circuit boards with the flexible circuit. The inboard clamp members are also configured to facilitate attachment of an interchangeable spacer thereto. The spacer is configured to facilitate desired positioning of the two printed circuit boards with respect to one another.

Abstract: An embodiment of a component assembly for use in a mechanism includes a first member having a pair of spaced flanges with fastener receiving openings through the flanges. A second member is a hardened powdered metal part including spaced seats engaging the flanges and slots in the seats connecting with enlarged recesses. The slots and recesses have openings extending through sides of the second member. Inserts extending into the recesses through the openings have fastener engaging openings aligned with the fastener receiving openings in the flanges of the first member. Fasteners extend through the flanges and the slots to the insert openings, fixing the flanges of the first member to the seats of the second member. Exemplary assemblies are illustrated. The assemblies provide hardened wearing surfaces made from powdered metal with manufacture simplified by the fastener inserts received in openings formed parallel to the other major surfaces of the powdered metal components.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an integrated structural HVAC system (ISHS) includes an ISHS first section and an ISHS second section which are secured to one another to form the ISHS. In one embodiment, the ISHS first section includes a molded first cross beam which includes integral molded features and the ISHS second section likewise comprises a molded second cross beam having integral molded features. The first cross beam includes a number of vent openings formed therein and the second cross beam includes a plurality of fluid ducts formed therein. The first cross beam and second cross beam mate with each other and are securely attached to one another to form the ISHS. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid ducts provide both cockpit/instrument panel structure as well as fluid channels for directing air to desired locations within a vehicle compartment or the like.

Abstract: A liquid/vapor separator assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a liquid separator plate adapted to be disposed within and secured to a portion of the fuel tank to form a liquid trap therebetween. The liquid/vapor separator assembly also includes a standpipe extending from the liquid separator plate and communicating with the liquid trap to allow fuel vapors to flow to a vapor canister. The liquid/vapor separator assembly further includes at least one valve mounted to the liquid separator plate to allow fuel from the liquid trap to return to an interior chamber of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A chassis control network architecture having an electronic control module mountable on a steering column subassembly is disclosed. A first communications bus is connected to the electronic control module and an actuator control module is in communication with the electronic control module, through the first communications bus. The actuator control module is further connected to an electric steering motor, and is capable of receiving a steering input command from the electronic control module and applying it to the electric steering motor.

Abstract: A vehicle roll control system has a torsion bar and a first arm extending substantially perpendicular to the torsion bar. The first arm is fixed to the torsion bar at one end and connectable to one of the axles at the other end. A hydraulic actuator is attached to the torsion bar; and a control connected to the hydraulic actuator controls the operation thereof on detection of a predetermined vehicle condition. The hydraulic actuator comprises a housing, a piston making a sealing sliding fit inside the housing to define a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, and a piston rod connected to the piston and extending through the second fluid chamber and out of the housing.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle suspension strut configured to be arranged between a wheel assembly and a body of a vehicle, the adjustable strut including a tube. A piston is slidably carried in the tube on a piston rod. A coil is carried on the piston adjacent a first flow passageway in the piston to produce a magnetic field thereacross and a control valve is carried on the piston controlling fluid flow through a second flow passageway in the piston. The control valve is positioned at the distal end of the rod upstream of the first flow passageway.

Abstract: A power booster for a brake system including a housing having an interior and a pair of diaphragms separating the interior of the housing into three chambers. A power piston assembly is coupled for movement with the diaphragms and includes an output member. A reaction member is coupled to the power piston assembly, and an input member is adapted to be coupled to a movable brake pedal. An air valve assembly moves between open and closed positions to selectively admit atmospheric air into selected ones of the chambers. This induces an output force on the diaphragm that is transferred to the output member of the power piston assembly. The triple booster adds an additional working chamber with an added approximately 45% increase in power boost. The triple power booster retains many of the same components as prior dual or tandem boosters to provide an economical solution to increase booster output without the need for new tuning procedures or added booster diameter.

Abstract: An evaporator for an HVAC system is disclosed wherein an upstream to downstream airflow is directed through the evaporator for inducing a transfer of thermal energy between the airflow and a fluid circulating in the evaporator. The evaporator includes at least two cores adjacent one to the other. Each of the cores defines a core inlet and a core outlet and the cores are arranged such that the core inlet of the first core is positioned at an opposite end from the inlet of the second core. Correspondingly, the outlet of the first core is positioned at an opposite end from the outlet of the second core. The evaporator inlet is in fluid communication with the first core inlet and the second core inlet and the outlet is in fluid communication with the first core outlet and the second core outlet.

Abstract: An air valve assembly is provided for a power piston in a vacuum brake booster including an input element with a hollow axial extension. The hollow axial extension includes a retaining portion. An output element is provided that includes an input extension slidably positioned within the hollow axial extension. The input extension includes an outer groove formed thereon and a ring member is disposed in the outer groove, the ring positioned adjacent the retaining portion to prevent separation of the input element and outer element.