Abstract: A method for producing high-density powder metallurgy articles formed of hard powder materials, and particularly hard ferromagnetic materials that yield powder metallurgy magnets exhibiting improved magnetic properties as compared to powder metallurgy magnets formed of pure iron. The method generally entails the use of a powder of a material that is harder than iron, and then encapsulating each particle of the powder with a layer of iron. The powder is then compacted, by which the particles are adhered together to form a powder metallurgy article. As a result of forming a sufficiently thick encapsulating layer of iron on each powder particle, the powder can be compacted to a greater density than would be possible without the encapsulating layer of iron. If a ferromagnetic material is used, the resulting magnetic article is capable of exhibiting magnetic properties superior to a substantially identical pure iron powder metallurgy magnet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injection apparatus, in particular for diesel engines, comprising at least one injection nozzle which is connected to a fuel pressure line and which has a nozzle element which can be actuated through a control unit for the opening and the closing of the injection nozzle, with the control unit comprising a piston which is displaceably journalled in a control passage, which is coupled at its one end to the nozzle element and which bounds with its other end together with a plug which is arranged in the control passage a pressure chamber which can be connected up to the fuel pressure line via a supply passage and which communicates with an outflow passage, with it being possible to vary the pressure in the pressure chamber through the release or the interruption of the flow through the outflow passage for the actuation of the nozzle element when the pressure chamber is connected via the supply passage to the fuel pressure line, and with it being possible to influence the flow throu

Abstract: A photoresponsive device wherein a plurality of slots is formed in a continuous polycrystalline silicon film that forms a top electrode of the photoresponsive device structure. The resulting “picket fence-like” fingers are capable of generating a depletion region that extends beyond the physical extent of the fingers themselves. The shorter wavelengths of light can reach these unobstructed depletion areas of the substrate and be rapidly detected instead of being absorbed in the electrode. By appropriate spacing of the individual fingers, the individual depletion regions can be effectively merged into one continuous depletion region.

Abstract: A transmission assembly for a powered sliding door system for an automotive vehicle. The transmission assembly includes a rotatable input member, a stationary hub, and a planetary gearset disposed within the hub and operatively cooperating with the input member. The transmission assembly also includes an electromagnetic brake disposed within the hub and operatively cooperating with the planetary gearset to lock and unlock a gear of the planetary gearset. The transmission assembly further includes a rotatable output member operatively cooperating with the planetary gearset.

Abstract: An electric motor and motor drive unit assembly includes a motor assembly having a housing and a motor rotatably coupled within the housing. A power distribution bus is coupled to the housing. The power distribution bus is coupled to an end cap of the motor. A plurality of semiconductor switches are coupled to the power distribution bus. The motor and drive assembly further includes a drive assembly having a case coupled to the power distribution bus. The case is electrically isolated from and is in thermal communication with the power distribution bus. The case has a plurality of openings therethrough. An interconnect circuit board is disposed within the case and is electrically coupled to the power distribution bus through the plurality of openings. A system control board is disposed within the case and is electrically coupled to the interconnect board.

Abstract: An electrical connector housing, such as an automotive fuse housing, is closed or opened by a standard cover that can be swung open in two directions, or pulled straight off. Cooperating pairs of hinge pins on the housing and resilient cantilever beams on the cover serve as either a releasable latch, or as a hinge, or as a pair of releasable latches, depending on the opening mode desired.

Abstract: A connection between a collapsible mast jacket of an energy absorbing steering column and a motor vehicle body including a mounting bracket on the mast jacket having a planar flange, a capsule slot in the planar flange, and a snap-in capsule. The snap-in capsule includes a retaining channel, an integral cantilever spring, and a detent lug on the end of the cantilever spring which overlaps the retaining channel. When the snap-in capsule is pushed into the capsule slot, the retaining channel cooperates with a peripheral edge of the capsule slot in guiding the snap-in capsule and in retaining the snap-in capsule perpendicular to the planar flange. Concurrently, the detent lug is ejected from the retaining channel against a restoring force attributable to resilient flexure of the cantilever spring. When the snap-in capsule attains a seated position in the capsule slot, the cantilever spring snaps the detent lug into a detent notch in the planar flange.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle which provides force feedback to the hand-operated steering wheel to allow an operator of the vehicle to feel forced opposition to the steerable road wheels. The steering system includes a road wheel actuator for actuating an associated road wheel, and a position sensor for sensing angular position of the road wheel. The steering system also includes a hand-operated steering wheel for controlling directivity of the road wheel, a steering wheel sensor for sensing position of the steering wheel, and a steering wheel actuator for actuating the hand-operated steering wheel. A controller receives a sensed steering wheel position and sensed road wheel position and calculates the control signal as a function of the difference therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical connection for the tie-up of a motor vehicle sliding door to a frame-fixed cabling (44) has an elastic and insulated conductor (10) which is arranged in a vehicle guide (12) which is fixed to the vehicle body and into which a follower (16) of the sliding door engages at which one end of the conductor (10) which is connectable to the door-side cabling (46) is fastened.

Abstract: An ion sensor glow plug assembly includes a shell for attachment to a cylinder head of a compression ignition engine and having a passageway extending axially therethrough. The ion sensor glow plug assembly also includes an insulator disposed at least partially in the passageway of the shell and having an aperture extending axially therethrough. The ion sensor glow plug assembly includes a glow bulb made of an insulative material and including a heating element disposed therein. The glow bulb extends through the aperture and into the passageway of the shell and is operatively connected to a source of power to create a heating circuit. The ion sensor glow plug assembly further includes a conductive material extending axially along the glow bulb and operatively connected to a source of power to create an ion sensing circuit.

Abstract: The door assembly has an inner door panel, an outer door panel and a window module opening. A window module includes a module frame with a side impact beam assembly; a belt reinforcement beam, a front glass guide channel and a rear glass guide channel. A window is slideably mounted in the glass channels. A window regulator assembly is mounted on the module frame and connected to the window. Pin and slot connectors connect the side impact beam assembly to the inner door panel. Mechanical fasteners secure the belt reinforcement beam to the inner door panel.

Abstract: A two-component bracket and drive washer combination which provides secure holding of a magnetic sensor while automatically setting an optimal air gap, wherein operation is very quick, easy and reliable and wherein the air gap setting is precisely repeated each time a magnetic sensor is replaced or re-installed. A main bracket component has an aperture and a drive wall at one end of the aperture. A sensor body is connected to the main bracket component and is allowed to touch a reluctor. A reaction bracket has a reaction wall in the aperture opposite the drive wall and is restrained from moving. A drive washer is provided with teeth having a pitch whereby as the washer is pressed between the drive and reaction walls along a transverse axis, the main bracket component is forced to move along a longitudinal axis, thereby moving the sensor body in relation to the reluctor an amount precisely equal to a desired air gap.

Abstract: An axially-compact camshaft phaser wherein the phaser bearing flange on the camshaft, connected to a timing chain sprocket or cam drive gear, is axially inverted in comparison to prior art cam phasers so that the bearing flange extends axially and inwardly of the phaser stator and rotor such that radial drive load on the phaser is sustained within the hydraulic portion of the phaser rather than externally thereof. The overall axial length of the phaser may be reduced thereby by about 25% relative to some prior art phasers and the Phaser Envelop volume may be reduced by 15% while maintaining an equivalent torque capacity.

Abstract: An improved closed-loop vehicle yaw control in which a yaw rate limit based on measured lateral acceleration is used during transient steering maneuvers to dynamically limit a desired yaw rate derived from driver steering input. A preliminary yaw rate limit is computed based on the measured lateral acceleration, and a dynamic yaw rate limit having a proper phase relationship with the desired yaw rate is developed based on the relative magnitudes of the desired yaw rate and the preliminary yaw rate limit. A two-stage process is used to develop the dynamic yaw rate limit. A first stage yaw rate limit is determined according the lower in magnitude of the desired yaw rate and the preliminary yaw rate limit, and a second stage yaw rate limit (i.e., the dynamic yaw rate limit) is determined according to the relative magnitudes of (1) the desired yaw rate and the second stage yaw rate limit, and (2) the first stage yaw rate limit and the second stage yaw rate limit.

Abstract: A steering wheel heating system (10) includes a modular controller (18) electrically connected to a heating element (12) and temperature sensor (20) disposed beneath the surface of a rim portion (14) of a steering wheel (16). Controller (18) includes a cabin temperature sensor (26), a remote control receiver (30), a temperature adjustment control (34), and an on/off/reset switch (36). Steering wheel heating system (10) receives electric current from power system (42) and allows this current to pass through heating element (12) to heat steering wheel (16). Controller (18) controls the flow of current to heating element (12) using control inputs from one or more of steering wheel temperature sensor (20), cabin temperature sensor (26), temperature adjustment control (34), and vehicle climate control system (44). A timing module automatically shuts off the flow of current after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An electrical connector system including a terminal retainer having a plurality of terminal receiving cavities formed therein and aligned in a rectilinear pattern of rows and columns. The terminal retainer includes a front face, an opposite rear face and a plurality of terminal cavities extending from the rear to the front face. Each terminal cavity receives a portion of a terminal, wherein the terminal has an annular abutment. A plurality of flexible locking fingers are provided which extend from the front face, each being positioned to straddle two adjacent terminal cavities. Each flexible locking finger includes a pair of spaced apart locking shoulders, one for each straddled terminal cavity, each locking shoulder having a terminus. When the female terminal is passed into a terminal cavity from the rear face, the terminus of the locking shoulder thereat interferingly abuts the terminal abutment, thereby preventing rearward withdrawal of the female terminal through the rear face.

Abstract: A sash/cam channel member is extruded from a plastic (e.g., thermoplastic) material and includes the same cross section whether the member is used in a sash-type application or a cam-type application. In one embodiment, the sash/cam channel member includes a channel formed therein for receiving a coupling member, which is attached to a moveable arm of the assembly, and a pair of opposing fork members. The windowpane is received between the pair of opposing fork members to produce a frictionally fit therebetween. The inner surfaces of the channel have a low friction layer (coating) formed thereon so that the coupling member slidingly travels within the channel is a near frictionless manner. Similarly, the inner surfaces of the pair of fork members have a high friction layer (coating) disposed thereon for increased gripping and coupling of the windowpane.

Abstract: A pin terminal alignment system which serves to fix pin terminal spacing, provide indexable spacing and provide ease of installation. A pair of alignment bodies, each having a generally planar, elongated shape and preferably formed of plastic, each have a plurality of alignment holes formed therein, wherein each alignment hole is allocated to a respective pin terminal of a header assembly. The system preferably includes an abutting interaction between the alignment bodies and the header assembly which indexably spaces the bodies with respect to the header assembly, as well as with respect to a printed circuit board to the pin terminals connect. The rigidity and locating features provided by the terminal pin alignment system serve to ensure geometrical dimension and tolerance precision of the pins as a whole, and the pin terminals in particular, with respect to both the header assembly and the PCB.

Abstract: A brake booster (10) comprising a housing (12); a diaphragm (16,18) mounted within the housing to define front and rear chambers (30-36) within the housing; and a cylindrical component (38) mounted within the housing and having an end (42) which passes through a sealing aperture (40) during installation within the housing to make a seal with the cylindrical component; wherein the cylindrical component has a plurality of fingers (46) extending away the said end, the fingers being circumferentially spaced apart around the end, and the outer surface (48) of each finger being chamfered such that the free ends (50) of each finger lie on a circle having an outer diameter (D1) which is less than the inner diameter (D2) of the sealing aperture prior to installation. Easier installation of the cylindrical component during booster assembly, especially where blind installation is required.

Abstract: A condenser (10) with a return header tank (14) has a receiver or reservoir canister (22) physically attached along side the return header tank (14), and open thereto through a discrete upper inlet (20) and lower outlet (21). The bottom of canister (22) is closed by an end cap (34) that is, preferably, welded or brazed in place. Before end cap (34) is attached, a tube of desiccant material (24) is installed and located within canister (22) by a standoff (26) comprised of a tight fitting, notched, disk shaped base (28) and narrow central post (30) which is comparable in length to the height of the inlet (20) above the lower end cap (34). The tight fit allows the tube (24) to be inserted up into the canister (22), well away from the bottom of canister (22) and free of heat damage as the end cap (34) is attached. Later, in operation, the central post (30) keeps the tube (24) located clear of the inlet (20) and outlet (21).