Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly includes an actuation lever coupled to a brake pedal. The brake assembly also includes a push rod of a brake booster. The push rod has a clevis on an end portion thereof. The clevis comprises two prongs. The brake assembly further includes an alignment device seated on each respective prong of the clevis. The alignment devices are configured to collectively guide and position the clevis into alignment with the actuation lever during construction of the brake assembly.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having two cylinder banks and adjustable camshaft timing is disclosed in which the camshafts in one cylinder bank are adjusted so that there is no net flow from the cylinders to effectively disable the cylinder bank. In particular, exhaust valve timing is advanced so that the maximum valve lift occurs approximately at bottom center between expansion and exhaust strokes and intake valve timing is advanced so that maximum valve lift occurs approximately at bottom center between intake and compression strokes. Also disclosed is an engine in which an intake and an exhaust camshaft on a single bank are coaxial with valve timings adjusted by rotating the inner of the two camshafts with respect to the outer of the two camshafts.

Abstract: A system for measuring an automotive convertible top operating parameter, such as the amount of force required to operate the convertible top, includes a pulldown actuator for moving a convertible top from an open position into a closed position. The pulldown actuator is equipped with position and force transducers. A controller which operates the pulldown actuator records the operational position of the top, as well as the force required to close the top.