Abstract: A hydraulic pressure intensifier for operating a vehicle braking system under conditions that are not conducive to the proper operation of a power assist for the braking system. The hydraulic pressure intensifier has an intensifier inlet fluidly connected to a master cylinder and an intensifier outlet fluidly connected to a wheel cylinder. A bypass valve has an input and output fluidly connected to the intensifier inlet and the intensifier outlet, respectively. With normal power assisted braking operation, the bypass valve is open and the master cylinder is fluidly connected to the wheel cylinder via the bypass valve. In a manual or nonpower assisted braking operation, the bypass valve is closed; and the hydraulic pressure intensifier is fluidly connected between the master cylinder and the wheel cylinder.

Abstract: A reinforced interior trim panel assembly and method of making same for attachment to structure of a vehicle includes a reinforcement and a carrier formed from a plastic material for attachment to the structure of the vehicle and incorporating the reinforcement within the plastic material.

Abstract: An IC power package particularly suitable for use as a rectifier for an automotive ac generator, as well as an IC packaging method. The power package comprises an electrically-conductive base, a MOSFET die mounted to the base so that the drain region of the MOSFET is electrically connected to the base, an electrically-conductive pin mounted to the die and electrically connected to the source region of the MOSFET, and an electrically-conductive member electrically connected to the gate region of the MOSFET. The conductive member can take several forms, including a second pin or a leadframe mounted to the die, or an annular-shaped member mounted to the base by an electrically-insulative member. In the latter embodiment, the annular-shaped member may be electrically connected to the gate region with a bond wire. The die is preferably encapsulated on the base, so that the base, pin and conductive member provide three connections for a rugged IC package.

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: A parking brake assembly for an automotive drum brake is provided. The parking brake assembly replaces a conventional mechanical strut with an electronic strut actuator subassembly that provides for parking brake engagement and disengagement, sensing of brake lining wear and adjustment of brake shoe-to-drum clearance.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a motor vehicle includes an inner tube concentrically aligned within an outer housing. A piston shaft having a piston attached at an end thereof is slidably inserted into the inner housing. A support ring encloses the inner housing defining a pumping chamber inside the inner housing. The piston shaft is inserted through the support ring. The support ring includes a seal cover having an inner surface with a rim. A rod guide is inserted into the seal cover and abuts the rim. The rod guide guides the shaft through the support ring and provides lateral support to the shaft. A retainer sleeve is secured to the rod guide having the rim disposed between the rod guide and the retainer sleeve securing the rod guide to the retainer sleeve.

Abstract: The transport of singulated die devices (110) is improved by utilizing condition sensitive adhesive tape (102) in a die transport system (100). Condition sensitive adhesive tape (102) is adhered to the bottom surface of a carrier plate (104) so as to cover a series of holes (106) formed in the carrier plate (104). The tape (102) is preferably heat sensitive adhesive tape (102) and may alternatively be ultraviolet light sensitive adhesive tape (102). The die transport system (100) contains die devices (110) in the carrier plate (104) by adhering the condition sensitive adhesive tape (102) to the bottom surface of the die devices (110). To release the die devices (110), the tape (102) is exposed to a certain condition in order to diminish its adhesiveness. Then, a vacuum suction force is used to pick up the die device (110) and remove it from the transport system (100).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a microelectronic device package is provided. The method includes a continuous processing mode of microelectronic device packages wherein process steps for fabricating the microelectronic device package are performed resulting in savings from the removal of more expensive batch processing steps.

Abstract: A steering column switch comprises, located on a steering column jacket tube of a motor vehicle, a support (2) for individual switches and comprises a housing (3). At least the visible wall sections (19) of the housing (3) and at least the visible wall sections (16) of the support (2) consist of a core (17, 21) and a sleeve (18, 22) each, whereby the core and the sleeve are connected with each other in one piece. This results in the optimal utilization of space, as well as in a pleasant exterior appearance of the steering column switch.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a valve needle slidable within a first bore, a surface associated with the valve needle being exposed to the fuel pressure within a first control chamber and movement of the valve needle away from the valve needle seating being limited by a moveable stop member. The stop member has a surface exposed to fuel pressure within a second control chamber. The fuel injector also includes a control valve arrangement for controlling the fuel pressure within the first and second control chambers to control movement of the valve needle and the stop member. The invention also relates to a fuel injector in which the control valve arrangement is arranged to permit the rate of valve needle movement away from the valve needle seating to be varied, in use.

Abstract: An improved vehicle crash sensing apparatus quickly and reliably characterizes frontal impacts with only minimal data processing requirements. Two or more longitudinally separated piezoelectric strips strategically located in a frontal portion of the vehicle produce impact signals that are analyzed to characterize the type of impact and the structural crush rate. In a simple implementation involving only two piezoelectric strips, a first strip extends laterally along a forward portion of the front bumper, and a second strip extends laterally along a forward portion of the hood panel, above and rearward of the first strip. In cases where an impact signal is developed by only one of the two strips, a high (under-ride) or low (over-ride) impact is indicated. If impact signals are developed by both strips, the intervening time is measured as an indication of the structural crush rate.

Abstract: A wheel spindle flange (and the like) has stud holes with soft surface hardness formed therein which permit non-rotational splines, studs and the like to be press-fitted therein with minimal press force at a centered press zone established between intentionally formed and dimensioned counterbores within the flange to minimize flange distortion and lateral run out of the spindle.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake system comprises a piston disposed in a bore, a reservoir, and a solenoid. A channel is in fluid communication between the bore and the reservoir, and the solenoid is disposed in the channel. The solenoid is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the solenoid blocks fluid communication between the bore and the reservoir.

Abstract: An airvalve assembly for a brake booster includes first and second members movable relative to each other to allow the passage of fluid, and a clip. The clip engages one of the first or second members, and has a spring arm which engages the other of the first or second members to normally position the first and second members relative to each other.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount control system for a vehicle including at least one hydraulic mount, each mount including a hollow body defining a fluid-filled chamber. A pressure sensor is positioned to sense the fluid pressure in the chamber and generate a pressure signal. A control unit is electrically connected to the pressure sensor. The control unit is adapted to generate an electric control signal in response to the pressure signal from the pressure sensor and a control device is responsive to the electric control signal for controlling the hydraulic mount.

Abstract: A shield for a gas management pintle valve, such as an exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine, for mitigating leakage of gas and moisture along the valve pintle into the actuator, to prevent corrosion and failure of the actuator. The shield is a tubular member having an equatorial radial flange and is slidably mounted on the pintle in an annular chamber between the valve body and the actuator. The inner diameter of the tube is selected to be as close-fitting to the pintle as possible while still being slidable thereupon to be adapted to either of two operating positions. During engine shutdowns, the shield is drawn by gravity toward the valve body to form a first seal with the flange against the pintle bearing or a bearing splash shield, preventing or minimizing the escape of moist, hot gases under low pressure from the valve along the pintle.

Abstract: A limit switch includes a housing, a plunger, an actuator, a prime contactor, a redundant prime contactor, an adjustment contactor, and a redundant adjustment contactor disposed within the housing. The prime contactor and adjustment contactor are electrically coupled in series. The prime and redundant prime contactors are openable by the plunger, and the adjustment and redundant adjustment contactors are closable by the plunger. The redundant adjustment contact is electrically coupled in series with the redundant prime contactor. The limit switch controls a circuit by aligning the limit switch in a mid-position alignment. Opening the prime contactor or redundant prime contactor de-energizes the electrical circuit. Closing the prime contactor and the redundant prime contactor while the adjustment contactor and the redundant adjustment contactor are maintained closed energizes the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A sparkplug boot keeper assembly interconnects between a heat shield and an ignition wire boot of a spark plug. A spring clip is pre-assembled internally to the heat shield which then engages a bottom portion of the spark plug after the spark plug is threaded to a head of an engine block. During assembly, as the heat shield moves axially inward over the spark plug, the pre-assembled spring clip rasps over a hexagonal portion of the spark plug and snap fits to the bottom portion. An outward facing surface of the boot is engaged to a compressed spring which in turn is engaged to an outward wall of the heat shield. Either a rotation, or an axially outward withdrawal force placed upon the heat shield, will radially expand the spring clip permitting disengagement of the heat shield and spring clip assembly from the stationary spark plug.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer race, an inner race, a plurality of balls and a cage. The outer race and inner race have crossed grooves of multiform length. The outer race grooves and the inner race grooves are circumfercntially spaced and paired to hold the balls. The central planes of paired grooves are inclined from the longitudinal direction and are crossed relative to one another. The outer race, inner race and cage having mating part-spherical surfaces that accommodate joint angulation while supporting the components against axial stroking about a fixed center. The grooves have a substantially uniform depth along their lengths including toward the closed end of the outer race to provide full support to the balls at high joint angles.