Abstract: A vehicle climate control system having a separate control for first and second separate areas of the vehicle. The climate control system includes a three-fluid heat exchanger having a first path with a first inlet and first outlet, and a second path with a second inlet and second outlet. The first path communicates refrigerant between the first inlet and first outlet and the second path communicates coolant between the second inlet and second outlet without the refrigerant and the coolant being mixed. A primary refrigerant loop is interconnected by a refrigerant line with the refrigerant line being connected to the inlet and outlet of the first path. A secondary loop is connected to the inlet and the outlet of the second path such that the coolant flows through the three-fluid heat exchanger to selectively cool or heat the second area of the vehicle by heat transfer within the three-fluid heat exchanger.

Abstract: A disc brake including a pair of friction plates arranged coaxially in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship and a plurality of vanes extending between the pair of friction plates, each of the vanes having a proximal end, a distal end and a mid-portion extending between the proximal end and the distal end, at least one of the distal end and the proximal end of at least half the vanes having a first cross-sectional area, the mid-portion having a second cross-sectional area, the first cross-sectional area being substantially greater than the second cross-sectional area. The vanes can include a T-shaped portion adjacent the distal end. The vanes can include an hourglass shaped portion. The vanes may taper from the distal end to the proximal end. The vanes can include a thicker cross-section adjacent a peripheral portion of the rotor.

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 track. The electric motor drives a segmented drive linkage inside the track via a gear reduction unit and a sprocket. The segmented drive linkage includes an elongated arcuate link arm that slides in an arcuate track portion of the track and a power roller chain that is stored in a storage track portion when the liftgate is closed. The outboard end of the link arm is pivotally connected to the liftgate to open and close the liftgate as the link arm is extended and retracted by the power roller chain.

Abstract: A casing assembly for a blower motor of a heating, venting, and air conditioning system of a motor vehicle includes a fan chamber for housing a blower fan and a motor chamber for housing the blower motor. An air conduit molded integrally with the assembly channels air from the fan chamber to the motor chamber for cooling the motor. A panel connects the fan chamber to the motor chamber. The panel includes a groove circumscribing the motor chamber for pierceable separating the motor chamber from the assembly to service the motor and the fan. The assembly further includes a band for reconnecting the separated motor chamber to the assembly after servicing the motor.

Abstract: An ultra accurate gas injection system includes an input device for inputting setpoint data including a target flow rate for the flow of gas into the system. The gas flows through a mass flow controller at an actual flow rate. The mass flow controller issues a flow rate signal indicative of at least the actual flow rate and receives a flow control signal. The mass flow controller is configured to control the actual flow rate dependent at least in part upon the flow control signal. A programmable controller is electrically connected to the input device and the mass flow controller. The programmable controller receives the setpoint data from the input device and issues the flow control signal, the flow control signal being dependent at least in part upon the target flow rate contained within the setpoint data. The programmable controller repeatedly reads the flow rate signal and compares the actual flow rate with the target flow rate.

Abstract: A glow plug controller test device including an electrical connector which can be electrically connected to the vehicle wiring harness connector of the glow plug controller. The test device also includes a pair of leads which are connected to the vehicle power supply and ground, respectively. The test device further includes a light emitting diode which flashes as an indication that the glow plug controller is operational.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly for a vehicle is provided. A backing plate supports opposing brake shoes with a drum disposed there about. Each of the brake shoes has a portion in spaced relation from one another. A wheel cylinder is supported by the backing plate and is arranged between the portions of the brake shoes for forcing the portions away from one another to engage the brake shoes with the drum in a brake position. A strut interconnects the brake shoes proximate to the portions. A lever has a first end, which extends to a second end, supported from one of the portions by a pivotal connection. The lever is rotatable about the pivotal connection between a normal operating position in which the strut is spaced from the lever and a parking brake position in which the lever engages the strut to maintain the portions in the brake position. An electric parking brake actuator is supported by the backing plate and includes a linkage that coacts with the second end of the parking brake lever.

Abstract: A combined drive circuit for a split brake system of a motor vehicle has a switched reluctance motor and a brush motor. The switched reluctance motor has multiple phase windings. The combined drive circuit includes a DC power source with first and second supply buses. A SR motor driver supplies current to the switched reluctance motor. The SR motor driver has a first capacitor coupled to the phase windings for storing energy from the phase windings and a second capacitor coupled to the first capacitor and a third supply bus, thereby developing a third supply bus voltage across the second capacitor. A brush motor driver is coupled to the first and second capacitor. The SR motor driver is adapted to supply current to the brush motor. The brush motor driver has a first switching element and a second switching element coupled to the brush motor.

Abstract: The invention is a two-stage, two-poppet prime valve assembly for use in high pressure applications such as vehicle braking systems. The valve assembly has two valve seats and two plungers for allowing the valve assembly to open under high pressure while providing minimal internal flow restrictions to enhance cold temperature and low pressure operation. The two-stage, two poppet valve assembly contains two separate flow paths, one being high pressure, relatively low flow called a stage one, and the other being relatively low pressure, high flow called a stage two. In addition, the valve incorporates a reverse flow bypass feature that is capable of controlling flow at very high pressure and allowing reverse flow with a very low pressure drop.

Abstract: A combined drive circuit for a split brake system of a motor vehicle has a switched reluctance motor and a brush motor. The switched reluctance motor has multiple phase windings. The combined drive circuit includes a DC power source with first and second supply buses. A SR motor driver supplies current to the switched reluctance motor. The SR motor driver has a first capacitor coupled to the phase windings for storing energy from the phase windings and a second capacitor coupled to the first capacitor and a third supply bus, thereby developing a third supply bus voltage across the second capacitor. A brush motor driver is coupled to the first and second capacitor. The SR motor driver is adapted to supply current to the brush motor. The brush motor driver includes first, second, third and fourth switching elements coupled to the brush motor.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the planar sensing element (80) is secured by inclusion of a disk element support provided between the lower end of an inner shield and the lower shoulder of an outer shell for containing such shield, whereby the diameter of the disk element support is less than that of the shell to allow such disk element support to shift off-center. In a preferred embodiment, the planar sensing element is secured by incorporation of a mesh element support, comprising fine wire material and vermiculite filler.

Abstract: An object sensing system is capable of distinguishing an overhead roadway object, that is not in a host vehicle path, from a substantially motionless roadway object that is in the vehicle path. Initially, a plurality of sensor scan signals are provided into an anticipated path of a host vehicle. Next, a plurality of object return signals that correspond to reflections of the plurality of sensor scan signals from at least one detected stationary object are received. Then, an average amplitude slope of the return signals as a function of the range to the at least one detected stationary object is determined. A sufficiently positive amplitude slope identifies the detected stationary object as an overhead roadway object that is not in the vehicle path. A sufficiently negative amplitude slope identifies the detected stationary object as a substantially motionless roadway object that is in the vehicle path.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an unpowered lighting device for an emergency trunk release in a vehicle, including: a light pipe having an external end disposed so as to gather light from a light source external to a trunk compartment of the vehicle; and the light pipe having an internal end disposed in proximity to the emergency trunk release so as to illuminate the emergency trunk release with light from the light source external to the trunk compartment.

Abstract: A metering valve for metering fuel flow, the valve having a flow rate control member moveable along an axis to control the rate of flow of metered fuel through the valve, and a piezo-electric bending device bendable in response to a control signal so as to cause the flow rate control member to move a desired distance in a selected direction along the axis.

Abstract: A method for forming solder bumps and solder connections for surface-mount devices. The invention utilizes a solder jetting technique by which a controlled amount of solder is accurately deposited to yield solder bumps on the bond pads of a device, which upon reflow form solder connections having sufficient stand-off height to promote stress relief during thermal cycling, and achieve the necessary electrical and thermal capabilities required of the solder connections. The method generally entails solder jetting multiple solder droplets onto a surface to form a two-dimensional base pattern. An additional solder droplet may be solder jetted onto the base droplets of the two-dimensional base pattern so that the additional droplet contacts at least two of the base droplets and yields a three-dimensional structure overlying the bond pad. The solder droplets are then reflowed to form a single coalesced solder bump on the bond pad.

Abstract: The electric park brake of the present invention includes an electric caliper motor assembly. The electric caliper motor assembly includes a motor, which is operably coupled to a shaft. The motor and shaft are surrounded by a housing. A friction wheel is disposed axially and operably connected to the shaft within the housing. A park brake motor is disposed within a second housing. The second housing is connected to the first housing and positioned laterally in relation to the shaft. An acme screw is operably coupled to the park brake motor wherein the acme screw interacts with an acme nut. A lever is in juxtaposition to the acme nut and friction wheel. The lever is angularly displaced by the acme screw interacting with the acme nut to frictionally interact with the friction wheel when the park brake motor is activated. This provides a park brake feature and prevents movement of the shaft.

Abstract: A method and system for producing thin film alloy by a sputtering deposition process comprising using a crescent-shaped aperture interposed between the target and substrate of a sputtering deposition system.

Abstract: An improved engine torque control method uses existing powertrain sensors and controls to reliably detect and suppress power-hop with minimum degradation of vehicle acceleration. Power-hop is detected by identifying a characteristic wheel jerk magnitude and oscillation frequency based on driven wheel speeds. Once a power-hop condition is detected, the control method computes a desired engine torque output for suppressing the detected power-hop without unnecessarily degrading vehicle performance, based on the wheel jerk magnitude, the engine speed and vehicle acceleration. A combination of engine cylinder fuel cut-off and spark retard is then scheduled for reducing the engine output torque to the desired level for the duration of the power-hop condition.

Abstract: An abrasion wear resistant fuel pump for a vehicle includes a pump section having a flow channel and a rotatable impeller cooperating with said flow channel to pump fuel therethrough. The fuel pump also includes a motor section disposed adjacent the pump section and having a motor to rotate the impeller. The fuel pump further includes an outlet section disposed adjacent the motor section to allow pumped fuel to exit the fuel pump. The pump section includes a plurality of plates disposed axially adjacent to and cooperating with the impeller. The impeller and plates are made of a composite material that improves abrasion wear characteristics therebetween.