Abstract: A piston assembly for magneto rheological (MR) fluid vibration damper affixed to a suspension system includes a piston that strokes inside a housing to dampen vibrations. The piston includes a core affixed to a piston shaft. An electric coil is affixed to the core and is coaxially aligned with the piston shaft. A sleeve circumscribes the piston core having a wall with a first inner diameter. An annular fluid passage is formed between the sleeve and the core. Fluid passes through the annular passage when the piston strokes inside the damper. The wall includes a channel having a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter. The channel reduces resistance to the piston from the MR fluid derived from temperature induced viscosity variations.

Abstract: A processor controlled FM receiver implements a technique for reducing adjacent channel interference without requiring additional components. Initially, the technique determines whether a desired channel has interference. If so, signal information on adjacent channels is collected. The desired channel is then shifted away from one of the adjacent channels if the collected signal information indicates that only one of the adjacent channels is appreciably interfering with the desired channel.

Abstract: An improved splined cam phaser includes four assemblies: a sprocket assembly, an inner hub assembly, a cover assembly, and a piston assembly. The joined assemblies provide phaser function at reduced manufacturing cost. The cover assembly, at least in part, is stamped from sheet stock and is net formed to receive a seal.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for a fuel injector arrangement, in which liquid fuel is drawn from a low pressure drain source and supplied from a pump at high pressure through a main fuel supply passage to an outlet of the injector arrangement. The valve arrangement includes a pressure regulating means which, during the course of an injection, regulates the pressure of fuel being supplied to the outlet. The pressure in the main fuel supply passage is regulated to a preselected pressure, which is intermediate drain pressure and pump supply pressure.

Abstract: A sensor (210) for increasing signal time employs a resiliently deflectable member n(218) with a pressure sensitive signal element (216) and base member (222). The dampening effect of the elastic material provides a longer signal response time that allows sufficient time for a system to react without a need for additional signal conditioning circuitry. Sensor (10, 110) senses a selected path of movement for a moveable element (8) and establishes a signal indicative thereof. The limit sensor includes a resiliently deflectable member (18) for activating the signal at a predetermined station along the preselected path of movement and includes a base member (22) for supporting the resiliently deflectable member (18) and the pressure sensitive signal element (16). An actuator (20) receives the force (F) from the moveable element (8) and transfers the force (F) to the pressure sensitive signal element (16).

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 pulse generator for indicating a change in the magnitude of an input signal includes a comparator, a first network connected to one input of the comparator for receiving the input signal, and a second network connected to the other input of the comparator for receiving the input signal. Both the first and second networks provide output signals to the comparator which transition in response to a magnitude change of the input signal from their respective baseline magnitudes to respective peak magnitudes, and back to their respective baseline magnitudes. The component values of the networks are selected such that one of the first or second network output signals is positive relative to the other network output signal over some period of time during the transition to the peak magnitude and return to the baseline magnitude to cause the comparator to generate a pulse indicating a change in the magnitude of the input signal.

Abstract: A variable valve actuating comprising a spring guide for use with a curved spring includes an elongate, curved guide member having a centerline. The centerline has a centerline curvature that is substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the curved spring. The guide member has a first side having a side curvature. The side curvature is substantially equal to a curvature of the curved inside surfaces of the coils of the curved spring. The guide member is configured for being disposed within the curved spring such that the coils thereof substantially surround a periphery of the guide member.

Abstract: A ring gear variable valve train device is provided for installation on an internal combustion engine having a rotary input crankshaft provided with a cylindrical eccentric journal having a center offset from the rotational axis of the shaft. A connecting rod disposed on the journal is reciprocated by rotary motion of the input shaft. A frame disposed on the input shaft may be controllably varied to vary the lift and timing of the valve. A rocker arm pivotably disposed on the frame is attached to the connecting rod to oscillate a ring gear portion of the rocker arm in response to rotary motion of the input shaft, which ring gear drives a planetary-geared output cam to actuate an engine intake valve to open and close. The teeth of the ring gear and the planetary gear are axially tapered, and a coil spring disposed on the output shaft is operative axially to displace the planetary gear axially of the ring gear to eliminate gear lash therebetween.

Abstract: A split-body deactivation valve lifter for use in an internal combustion engine includes a lower body having a substantially cylindrical base and an elongate column extending in an axial direction a predetermined distance above the base. The base is associated with a cam of the internal combustion engine and converts rotary motion of the cam to linear motion of the lower body. A substantially cylindrical upper body defines an axial column bore therein. A portion of the elongate column of the lower body is slidably disposed within the column bore. The upper body is associated with a valve of the internal combustion engine. The upper body is normally coupled to the elongate column of the lower body to thereby transfer vertical movement of the lower body to vertical movement of the upper body. The upper body is selectively decoupled from the lower body such that a lost motion spring prevents movement of one of the bodies from being transferred to movement of the other body.

Abstract: An improved internal combustion engine fuel control wherein a single oxygen sensor responsive to the combined exhaust gas flow of several engine cylinders is used both to control the overall or average air/fuel ratio, and to trim the air/fuel ratio in the individual engine cylinders. The oxygen sensor output is sampled in synchronism with the engine firing events, but at twice (or higher) the frequency, and filtered by an engine speed dependent high-pass filter to form a measure of the air/fuel ratio imbalance with respect to time. The imbalance signal, in turn, is parsed into an array of imbalance values that are associated with individual engine cylinders based on engine operating conditions, and the imbalance values are then used to develop correction factors for the respective engine cylinders that reduce the imbalance while preserving the overall or average air/fuel ratio of the engine.

Abstract: A variable valve actuating mechanism includes a rocker having a central rocker axis that is substantially parallel with and spaced apart from a central axis of a rotary input shaft. A frame member has a first end configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft and a second end pivotally carrying the rocker. A connecting rod has a first end configured for engaging an eccentric of the rotary input shaft and a second end pivotally attached to the rocker. The connecting rod transfers rotation of the input shaft to oscillation of the rocker relative to the rocker central axis. An output cam is configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft. An output cam gear is affixed to the output cam. A crank gear is affixed to the rocker and engages the output cam gear.

Abstract: A system and method for closed loop speed control for stop and go applications allowing adaptive cruise control operation at low speeds below vehicle idle speed by use of traction control system braking. The system comprises: proportional controller to hold the vehicle speed at the desired vehicle speed; integral controller to reduce vehicle speed when the adaptive cruise control cuts off speed control; stopped controller to overcome static friction after a vehicle stop; open loop controller to hold the vehicle speed a set speed below the vehicle idle speed. The system also provides a switch to set the torque command to zero for large positive speed control errors, such as when the desired speed is above the vehicle idle speed, and a transition logic to provide a smooth transition between alternate control mode operation and speed control mode operation.

Abstract: A vehicle traction control increases the allowed wheel spin for a driven wheel when (1) sensed vehicle speed is within a predetermined speed range corresponding to near maximum engine speed for the sensed currently used gear of the transmission, (2) sensed vehicle turn curvature is within a predetermined curvature range of zero curvature, (3) sensed vehicle longitudinal acceleration has not been below a predetermined high acceleration for a predetermined time, and (4) sensed vehicle engine speed has not been below a predetermined high engine speed for the predetermined time. The tests are calibrated to provide the increase in a very narrow range of conditions corresponding to high performance operation, and particularly power shifts of a manual shift transmission, on a racetrack with a high coefficient surface.

Abstract: A parallel guide mechanism includes a peripheral housing and a central mass, for accepting a mechanical input from a user, located within the peripheral housing. The central mass moves responsive to the mechanical input. A first beam and a second beam horizontally separated by a gap and substantially located in a first plane extend from a first vertical surface of the central mass and connect the central mass to a first inner vertical surface of the peripheral housing. A third beam located in a second plane is vertically spaced apart from the first and second beams and is horizontally positioned in the first gap between the first and second beams and extends from the first vertical surface of the central mass and connects the central mass to the first inner vertical surface of the peripheral housing.

Abstract: Hydraulic mounts which include a body member, a partition, a diaphragm and a base member are placed on an apparatus for supporting the body member loosely assembled with the partition, diaphragm and base member. A head member engages the body member and the base member in temporary fluid sealing relationship while air is evacuated from internal chambers of the mount and hydraulic fluid is flowed into the chambers. The head member may then be moved away from the base member and a final assembly of the mount provided by crimping a peripheral upper edge of the body member in forcible engagement with the base member, the partition and the diaphragm. The mount may include spaced apart projections to allow fluid to flow between the partition and the body member during the air evacuation and fluid fill process.

Abstract: An apparatus for minimizing angular rotor position errors in an air core gauge includes an air core gauge (105) having a magnetic rotor (108) and at least three coils (102, 104 and 106) wound around the rotor (108). A probe signal is applied to the first coil (102), and output signals are developed and detected across the second and the third coils (104, 106) in response to the probe signal and low-frequency signals applied to one or more of the coils (102, 104 and 106). The output signals are processed by a demodulation circuit (110) and a number of DC voltage signals are produced therefrom. A control circuit (304) is responsive to the number of DC voltage signals to determine an actual angular position of the rotor (108), and to suitably adjust the low-frequency signals to thereby correct for errors between the actual angular position of the rotor (108) and the desired angular position thereof.

Abstract: A terminal side load electrical connector positions a series of terminals of a flex circuit into a core in unison. The core has a peripheral surface extending between a contact surface and a conductor surface. The terminals are assembled to the core through the peripheral surface. A housing has a conductor opening opposite to a contact opening. The core with the pre-assembled terminals insert into the housing through the conductor opening. The contact surface of the core is exposed through the contact opening of the core. The housing engages the peripheral surface of the core thereby preventing the disengagement of the terminals from the core.

Abstract: A valve actuating mechanism includes opening and closing rotary cams rotatable together about a primary axis and a rocker pivotable about a first pivot axis spaced from the primary axis. The rocker includes first and second rocker arms connected to actuate a valve by oscillating motion about the pivot axis. The first and second rocker arms respectively carry opening and closing cam followers operable by the opening and closing cams for positively oscillating the rocker in either direction. The closing cam follower has a pad engagable with the closing cam and carried by a hydraulic lash control piston slidable in a cylinder of the second rocker arm. The cylinder is connected with a pressure oil supply having a check valve preventing reverse oil flow. A bleed orifice in the pad is sized to allow restricted oil flow from the cylinder to avoid excessive loading of the mechanism. The orifice may be blocked by the cam to limit oil flow during operation of the pad on the cam base circle.

Abstract: An improved method of detecting evaporative emission system leaks, wherein first and second changes in closed-system fuel tank pressure due to vapor generation are measured respectively prior to and after the leak testing, and wherein the larger of the first and second pressure changes is used to adjust the pressure measurements taken during leak testing, or to invalidate the diagnostic if the vapor generation exceeds a threshold. The first vapor generation test occurs at the beginning of the driving cycle when there has been no significant disturbance of the vapor equilibrium in the fuel tank, and thereby provides an indication vapor generation due to volatility of the fuel. The second vapor generation test occurs well into the driving cycle, and provides an indication of vapor generation due to fuel heating and sloshing.