Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the speed of a vehicle, the apparatus manipulates a cable having one end secured to a throttle and the other secured to a motor for applying a force to the cable. A motor controller provides commands to the motor and the motor controller receives an input in the form of a vehicle velocity setting and in response to the value of the setting setting the motor controller instructs the motor to pull the cable a predetermined distance corresponding to a predetermined throttle position, the predetermined distance is stored in a lookup table and the predetermined throttle position corresponds to a vehicle velocity that is similar to the vehicle velocity setting.

Abstract: A power tailgate assembly for mounting to the aft end of a vehicle, particularly a pickup truck or SUV, is disclosed. The power tailgate assembly of the present invention is capable of pivotally moving a tailgate between open and closed positions and generally comprises a tailgate, a control arm, and a motor. The tailgate is typically a flat panel piece hingedly attached to the aft end of the vehicle, as is commonly known in the art, and includes an elongated channel formed on one of the side ends of the tailgate. The control aim is a rigid elongated member pivotally connected to the vehicle which acts as a mechanical link between the motor and the tailgate and includes a sliding component located at one end and gear teeth located at the other end. The sliding component is designed to fit within the elongated channel of the tailgate, thereby creating a sliding connection between the control arm and the tailgate.

Abstract: An electrical connection between a high voltage terminal and a spark plug head. A case contains a high voltage terminal connected to a high voltage source. A connector portion extends from a bottom portion of the case, which in turn is secured to an insulator boot for attachment to a spark plug. The high voltage terminal has a nipple extending within the connector portion. A leaf spring member engages the nipple and is positively retained thereto. The head of the spark plug is inserted into the connector portion and engages the leaf spring member. The resilient characteristics of the leaf spring member provided by the interaction of the leaf spring member and the connector portion enable a compact yet positive connection system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrical female terminal which comprises a direct current path between a contact region defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced contact vanes formed as beams having opposite ends connected to terminal body portions and wherein each vane is twisted on its length to provide a radially inwardly directed contact on a beam that provides a torsional force component that increases normal forces for providing electrical contact without producing a commensurate increase in the force required to engage a pin within the contact region.

Abstract: A compression sense ignition system includes a sensing capacitor having a conductive sensing element disposed in proximity to the secondary winding leads of a first and a second ignition coil for developing a compression sense ignition signal. Epoxy potting material encapsulates the leads and the sensing element to reduce variation of the effective capacitance of the sensing capacitor. The compression sense ignition signal is processed to generate a cylinder identification signal which is used to determine absolute engine position. A fault mode detection and correction scheme is implemented wherein a controller responsive to the cylinder identification signal can determine correct absolute engine position notwithstanding the occurrence of one or more engine or ignition system faults which may impair the cylinder identification signal.

Abstract: A vehicle speed sensor includes a hollow generally cylindrical sensor housing with an open proximal end. Within the interior of the sensor housing is a sensing structure having a base and a coil. A shunt resistor and two terminals are insert molded into the base of the sensing structure, with the resistor disposed between the terminals. Two electrical leads, that are electrically connected to the coil, are wrapped around each end of the shunt resistor and the immediately adjacent terminal. The electrical lead not only electrically connects the terminals to the coil, but it also electrically connects the shunt resistor to the terminals.

Abstract: An actuator housing for a piezoelectric actuator arrangement including a piezoelectric stack, the housing comprising a first housing portion for connecting leads which are electrically connected to the piezoelectric stack and a second housing portion for the piezoelectric stack. The first and second housing portions are integrally moulded and are formed from a material which permits flexing of the first housing portion and the connecting leads.

Abstract: A vehicle wiring assembly for supplying power to a sliding door even when the door is open. The assembly includes a cable having a first end attached to the vehicle and a second end attached to a predetermined position on the sliding door. The assembly also includes a winding device disposed along the cable and attached to either the vehicle or the sliding door. The assembly also includes a cable guide at a point spaced away from the winding device for guiding the cable when the sliding door opens and closes.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an exhaust constituent sensor comprising a planar sensing element securely held in place within a tubular shield by disposing a high temperature mat support between the tubular inner shield and the planar sensing element. The high temperature mat support comprises suitable mat material, e.g., ceramic fibers or metal mesh, and preferably, comprises silica fibers, alumina fibers, alumina fibers with vermiculite, or any other suitable mat material providing the desired support, strength, and thermal and electrical insulating properties described herein. It is within the scope of the invention that the high temperature mat support may be in the form of a fibrous material or a more rigid perform structure, wherein in both instances, the high temperature mat support is adapted to be disposed concentrically around the planar sensing element for secure packaging thereof.

Abstract: A monotube damper and suspension spring assembly for a motor vehicle includes a tubular housing defining a chamber filled with damping fluid. A piston and piston rod reciprocate within the chamber. In order to compensate for volumetric changes of the chamber due to extension and retraction of the piston rod within the chamber, either the upper seal cover or lower bottom ring assembly is slidable within the housing. A preload is applied either to the housing or to the seal cover to thereby bias these elements to compensate for volumetric changes in the chamber.

Abstract: A Z-axis electrical interconnect includes a flexible printed circuit folded into a U-shape. The Z-axis electrical interconnect also includes a plurality of raised interconnection members arranged on the flexible printed circuit in a predetermined pattern and a circuit trace interconnecting the pair of raised interconnection members. The Z-axis electrical interconnect further includes a spring fixedly positioned on the flexible printed circuit to maintain the U-shape.

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

Abstract: An improved system and method for suppressing high side pressure transients in a motor vehicle air conditioning system due to engine speed transients during vehicle acceleration through the use of a throttling valve. The throttling valve may be mechanically or electrically activated, and is connected in the low pressure side of the air conditioning system to controllably restrict refrigerant flow in response to one or more parameters that detect or anticipate a high side transient pressure condition. The parameters may include the high side pressure itself, or engine parameters such as engine speed and vehicle speed. In a preferred embodiment, the throttling valve may be controlled to prevent evaporator icing in addition to suppressing high side pressure transients.

Abstract: A vehicle steering command module as disclosed wherein the command module is necessary to start and control the motion of a vehicle, and once removed from the vehicle the command module can function as a personal computer. The vehicle steering command module includes a housing having a computer processing unit and a connection port. The connection port releasably connects the command module to one of a pair of spaced apart mating connection ports on an instrument panel of the vehicle, thereby completing a steer by wire circuit of the vehicle. Rotation of the command module controls the direction of travel of the vehicle when the command module is connected to one of the mating connection ports. The command module includes at least one input device operably connected to the computer processing unit. A cover of the steering command module is moveable between a closed position and an opened position, and includes a display screen operably connected to the computer processing unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the position and classification of an object and which may provide signals that control deployment of an active restraint device, for example. Using a pulsed laser light beam from a laser source that is spread and preferably diffused to avoid ocular damage, an interference pattern is returned to a sensing module through a spectral filter. There it is optionally combined with a reference beam from the laser source, modified to emulate coherence length effects, and incident upon a phase transmission holographic template that may be segmented into regions for example. Each region of the holographic template contains Fourier transform images of occupant types. Behind the holographic template is a detector array that is sensitive to the laser light. An interference pattern derived from the object is convoluted or cross-correlated with the template. When an match occurs, a bright spot appears on the detector array.

Abstract: A snap rail pivotally connected to a connector body for providing simultaneous actuation of button locks of connector pins discretely received within respective connector receptacles of the connector body. The connector body has a plurality of connector receptacles arranged side-by-side horizontally, each having a primary lock composed of a first engagement feature for interferingly engaging a second engagement feature of a respective connector pin seated therein. The connector pins have an abutment feature for secondarily restraining it from axial movement in the connector receptacle in response to a tip of a button lock being received into the respective connector receptacle. An upper side of the connector body is provided with a plurality of button ports, one button port respectively for each connector receptacle, wherein the respective button lock enters therethrough and the tip thereof interferingly engages the abutment feature.

Abstract: A sleeve and post terminals combination, wherein a single piece sleeve terminal which is slidingly interfaced with a smooth surfaced post terminal for high current circuit applications. The sleeve terminal is formed from sheet metal stock, having an inner sleeve component and an outer sleeve component. The inner sleeve component includes three circumferentially spaced electrical contracts. The post terminal is configured to be snugly received by the inner sleeve component, wherein the three contacts are radially forced against the post terminal. The post terminal preferably has a bullet nose and has a smooth surface. In a preferred environment of operation, the post terminal is connected with a BEDC, and the sleeve terminal is connected with a high current capacity wire.

Abstract: The present invention provides a brake rotor including a central disc portion and an extending portion located at a periphery of the central disc portion. A friction portion having a first friction plate is attached to the extending portion and a second friction plate is attached to the first friction plate. The extending portion can be a “U” shaped configuration adapted to allow the first friction plate to expand in a radial direction in an amount substantially equal to the second friction plate under a condition of elevated temperature.

Abstract: An electric power assist apparatus for motor vehicle power steering including an electric motor and a speed reducer. The speed reducer includes a worm and a molded plastic worm gear on an output shaft of the speed reducer. The polymer from which the worm gear and the integral worm gear teeth thereon is molded has substantial structural rigidity after becoming cured. A plastic tooth ring is insert molded on the worm gear from a polymer having substantially greater resilience after becoming cured. The plastic tooth ring includes a plurality of resiliently flexible gear teeth having flanks which circumferentially overlap the flanks of the worm gear teeth. When the electric motor is off, the gear teeth on the worm mesh with the resiliently flexible gear teeth on the tooth ring with zero clearance to suppress noise attributable to rattling between the worm and resilient flexure of the flexible gear teeth on the tooth ring until the worm teeth engage the structurally more rigid worm gear teeth.

Abstract: A method for preparing a non-thermal plasma reactor reactor characterized by multiple concentric exhaust channels and multiple concentric conductor channels having alternating polarity, each connected to its respective polarity via bus paths is provided. The method comprises forming a substrate having a curved, swept shape comprising a thick outer wall surrounding a plurality of channels separated by dielectric barriers, coating selected channels with a conductive material to form conductor channels capable of forming an electric field around uncoated exhaust channels. Masking is employed to effect selective coating of conductive material while preventing the conductive material from being applied to non-value added areas. A first mask is employed to apply conductive material forming conductor channels and bus paths. An additional mask may be employed to cover the conductor channels and bus paths with a sealant. The method minimizes manufacturing steps as compared to prior methods.