Abstract: A control rod adapted to be bundled with a plurality of telecommunication cables to prevent the cables from being bent beyond a predetermined radius. The control rod includes a plurality of flexible control rod sections releasably connected together end-to-end by socket members and male members respectively provided on the ends of adjacent control rod sections. Each control rod section includes a plurality of beads connected together end-to-end by webs of material formed integrally with the adjacent beads.

Abstract: A system for calibrating an electronic compass for a vehicle of the type employing a Forward and Lateral magnetoresistive magnetic field sensor. As the vehicle changes headings, the system periodically samples and digitally stores the peaks of the sensor outputs. When the stored peaks indicate a minimum change in the output of the sensors, the system microcomputer calculates a “box” surrounding the subscribed arc of heading changes and computes the center of the “box” as the center of the locus of anticipated peaks for all quadrants and shifts the locus (i.e., “box”) to be within the domain of the A/D converter to prevent saturation, which could otherwise occur in the presence of strong remnant magnetic fields in the vehicle. The “box” is updated with each sampling of sensor outputs until the vehicle is eventually headed through all four cardinal compass headings, and the compass is then considered to be fully modeled in the microcomputer.

Abstract: A cable finishing and testing machine incorporates an electrical resistance testing station in a single automated process. The cable finishing and testing machine utilizes a conveyor belt to keep a terminated cable in an outstretched orientation as a trailing terminal of the terminated cable laterally transfers from one processing station to the next. A free or leading terminal of the terminated cable, being in a known sliding orientation upon the belt, is easily located and electrically engaged by a pick-up clamp device. A first indexing station electrically engages the trailing terminal and the electrical resistance of the terminated cable is measured. If the terminated cable tests bad, the terminated cable is automatically transferred to a second indexing station where it is destroyed and scrapped.

Abstract: A control system automatically determines the presence of an auxiliary control. The system includes a controlled device and a main control. The controlled device includes a main control input and an auxiliary control input. If an auxiliary control is present, a discernible non-zero default signal is supplied on the auxiliary control input of the controlled device, when no inputs of the auxiliary control are asserted. This advantageously allows for the verification of correct assembly (i.e., determination of the presence or non-presence of an auxiliary control) without technician intervention.

Abstract: A housing (10) is provided for a folded together inflatable airbag and a holder element (12) which can be locked at the housing, with the housing and the holder element bounding a reception region for a gas generator (14) in the locked state. In addition to an airbag and a gas generator, with the housing and the holder element, only two components are required in accordance with the invention, through which the manufacture may be simplified and manufacturing cost reductions may occur. For the assembly of the airbag module, the gas generator (14) is first arranged either at the housing (10) or at the holder element (12) and then the holder element is locked at the housing. The gas generator (14) is then already located in its final position in the airbag module. Through this the subsequent attachment of the folded together airbag in the housing is simplified since more than two parts which are to be connected together need never be brought into the correct relative position.

Abstract: A uniformly preset spring force pre-load among a number of identical solenoid actuated valve assemblies (28) by uniquely adjusting the spring pocket length (L) of each respective plunger (12) to accommodate a respective spring (20) which is uniquely mated thereto. This adjustment is accomplished using a two-component plunger (12) consisting of a plunger body (14) having a central bore (22) and a rod (18) sidably located within the central bore. The rod (18) is press-fit into the central bore (22), and the spring pocket includes a portion of the central bore unoccupied by the rod. By pressing the rod (18) a selected distance into the central bore (22), a precisely set spring pocket is obtained which is uniquely correct for a selected spring (20), in that the selected spring is compressed to a precisely preset spring force pre-load.

Abstract: A molded in place antenna assembly and method of making same for attachment to structure of a vehicle includes an antenna and a carrier formed from a plastic material for attachment to the structure of the vehicle and incorporating the antenna within the plastic material.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine having a single internal centrifugal fan and a bearing design that places a bearing outboard of the pulley to produce a more compact and less expensive device. One bearing is mounted outboard of the pulley, substantially reducing or eliminating cantilever forces on the pulley. The pulley and fan are designed with an inner diameter in a shape to fit splines which are part of the rotor shaft, eliminating the need for any type of axial clamping nut.

Abstract: The Solenoid Valve For A Vehicle Carbon Canister includes a housing with an outlet end and a inlet end. A portion of the inlet end of the housing extends around an inlet port formed in the inlet end to create an air inlet tube. Inserted in the outlet end of the housing is an end cap formed with an outlet port. The end cap extends around the outlet port to form an air outlet nipple having an internal portion and an external portion. Formed around the internal portion of the air outlet nipple is an annular cavity. Disposed within the housing is a solenoid mechanism slightly smaller than the housing to form an annular air passage having sufficient area to provide the proper air flow, but also having a thickness small enough to prevent carbon particles from passing through the annular air passage. A continuous air passage is formed by the air inlet tube, the annular air passage, and the air outlet nipple. A plunger is included to block the flow of air through the air outlet nipple.

Abstract: A fuel injection system is provided for controlling fuel pressure in a common rail through the use of a piezoelectric actuated fuel injector. The fuel injection system includes at least one fuel injector having an axially extending fuel passage therein, a control chamber disposed in the injector, an injector valve axially movable within the fuel passage in accordance with a fuel pressure in the control chamber, and a piezoelectric actuator for actuating the control valve. The fuel injection system further includes a pressure sensor for determining a fuel pressure in the common rail, and a controller electrically connected to the pressure sensor and to the piezoelectric actuator of the fuel injector.

Abstract: An electrical coupling assembly for a damper, the coupling assembly including a base and a rod received through the base. The rod has a threaded connector end and a conductor extending through the rod from the connector end. The coupling assembly further includes a conductive nut threaded onto the connector end of the rod and a plug housing including a ground lead and a power lead, the power lead being electrically coupled to the conductor. The coupling assembly has a conductive member engaging the plug housing and the nut, the conductive member being electrically coupled to the ground lead. The coupling assembly is particularly suited for use in a strut having an outer tube coaxial with the inner tube and connected to the rod and the wheel suspension assembly of the vehicle so as to absorb the side loads applied to the strut.

Abstract: An EMI filter (10) that makes use of a ferroelectric-ferromagnetic composite, member, or slab (12) in connection with capacitive and inductive elements. The geometrical structure of the filter (10) is such that the mutually orthogonal electric fields and magnetic fields generated by the capacitive and inductive elements penetrate the volume of the composite (12). In some designs, capacitive plates (14, 18, 32, 34) are split to avoid setting up eddy currents in the plates (14, 18, 32, 34) which oppose the penetration of magnetic flux through the composite (12). Various structural designs can be provided to define the capacitive elements and the inductive elements in different configurations relative to the composite to satisfy the desirable requirements.

Abstract: A method of accurately emulating any desired tooth/slot format of a desired target wheel from a predetermined tooth/slot arrangement of a rotating actual target wheel used in conjunction with an MR position sensor. The passage of two sequential slots of differing widths or two sequential teeth of differing widths of the actual target wheel determine the rising and falling edge of one tooth of the desired target wheel and define one tooth and one slot of the desired target wheel. The actual target wheel, has, preferably, 2n teeth and 2n slots of two distinct sequential widths whereby the desired target wheel is emulated to have n teeth and n slots. The two MRs of the position sensor are aligned in the circumferential direction of the actual target wheel so as to generate two angularly offset signals (first and second voltages, respectively) from the passage of a single slot of the actual target wheel. The offset signals are input to a signal conditioning circuit.

Abstract: Herein described is an exhaust gas sensor that is used to detect gas concentration in a “lean only” exhaust stream. The gas sensor comprises a single cell within a dielectric substrate. The cell has an electrolyte with an inner and outer electrode disposed against opposite sides of the electrolyte. A porous protective layer is disposed against the outer electrode. Gases can enter and exit the galvanic cell through the porous protective layer. A voltage is applied across the electrodes, and ions are actively pumped out of the cell. The applied current can be used to determine a specific gas concentration in the exhaust stream.

Abstract: A rotary damper for a vehicle trailing arm suspension mechanism includes a housing defined by a body molded of a reinforced plastic and defining a fluid filled cavity in which a multi-bladed rotor is disposed to form plural fluid filled damper chambers. The rotor is connected to a shaft which is part of a linkage of the suspension system and the housing is operably secured to the vehicle frame. The rotor may also be formed of a molded plastic or cast or otherwise fabricated metal which is covered with an overmolded layer of plastic. The rotor tips may include elastomer seal strips or as cast seal strips and providing a slight interference fit with the housing cavity surfaces. Fluid sealing between the rotor and the body and housing cover plates is provided by the separate or integral seal strips or by clearances small enough to restrict fluid flow except through flow restricting passages and damping action control valves.

Abstract: A high density seal connector for use in an automotive vehicle. The connector includes a strain relief member when the strain relief member has an outer frame which in part defines the connector. The strain relief member further includes a protective inner cover which is attached to an inside surface of the frame. The inner cover also includes an inside surface and an outside surface which has a plurality of orifices therethrough. The connector also includes a resilient seal member which is molded directly to the inside surface of the inner cover. The seal member includes a plurality of seal plugs which fill a predetermined number of the orifices of the inner cover.

Abstract: A vehicle liftgate has a counterbalance system comprising a first link pivotally connected to the vehicle body. A second link is pivotally connected to the first link at one end and to the liftgate at the opposite end. The counterbalance system includes a compression spring that is attached to the first link via a pulley. The compression spring stores energy when the liftgate is closed to assist in subsequent opening of the tailgate. The liftgate may be closed manually or with power assistance.

Abstract: The present invention is an exhaust sensor seal and a method for making the same. A talc disk disposed between two support disks forms a talc assembly where at least one of which is metal. As pressure is applied to the assembly, the talc is forced into any voids in the sensing end of the exhaust sensor body from exhaust gases.

Abstract: Drive circuit and method for driving a switched reluctance machine having at least two winding per pole are provided. The circuit includes first and second direct current links. The circuit further includes a first winding having first and second terminals. The first winding is connectable across said first and second links. A first switch is coupled across the first link and the first terminal of the first winding. A second switch is coupled across the second terminal of the first winding and the second link. A second winding is connectable in series circuit to that first winding. The second winding has first and second terminals. A third switch is coupled across one of the first and second links and the second terminal of the second winding.

Abstract: The aluminum plate oil cooler includes a plurality of pairs of plates that are secured along their perimeter to define an oil flow path. The plates include embossed regions that are formed to provide inlet and outlet ports for the oil. Top and bottom reinforcement plates are positioned at the top and bottom of the plurality of pairs of plates. An internal center is positioned between the plates to increase the heat transfer area and turbulate the oil within the oil cooler. An external center is positioned between each of the plurality of pairs to increase the thermal transfer area on the coolant side of the oil cooler. The external center covers the entire surface of the plates and includes holes formed to correspond with the embossed regions on the plates.