Abstract: A planetary transmission has two planetary gear sets, one of which is a simple planetary gear set. The ring gear of the simple planetary gear set is continuously connected with a transmission output shaft. Six fluid-operated friction torque transmitting devices are operable in combinations of three to establish a reverse drive and five forward drive ratios in the two gear sets. The gear sets are continuously interconnected by at least one drive member and are selectively interconnected by one of the torque transmitting devices. Two of the three devices engaged for reverse and first are also engaged in neutral.

Abstract: A mold for a prototype metal casting or the like may advantageously be made by forming a casting pattern of adhesively bonded aggregate particles using a binder containing a principle constituent that is soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide; forming a rigid shell mold about the pattern of materials that are unaffected by supercritical carbon dioxide; thereafter exposing the pattern and mold combination to supercritical carbon dioxide to remove the pattern binder adhesive and leave unbonded aggregate particles in the mold and removing the aggregate particles from the mold to leave a mold cavity that faithfully defines the pattern shape.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine idle air control system including an idle air control actuator coupled to an idle air control valve for varying the position of the valve within an engine intake air passage for engine inlet air control under idle operating conditions adjusts the time rate of change in position of the idle air control valve in response to change in barometric pressure to account for change in air density passing across the valve and to account for change in torque load acting against the valve to precisely respond to torque load changes during idle operations without violating idle air control actuator stability margins.

Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly includes a light source for emitting black light and an instrument cluster display including at least one graphic feature that is illuminable by black light. The invisible black light illuminates only the graphic features when contacted by the black light from the light source without illuminating the surrounding portions of the instrument cluster display. Preferably, the light source includes first and second light sources positioned on opposite sides of the instrument cluster display. The light sources are each a single bulb for emitting ultraviolet light. The light sources are positioned between reflectors and the instrument cluster display such that the reflectors are positioned for redirecting black light initially emitted towards the reflector onto the instrument cluster display. The graphic features are preferably made of a phosphoric material.

Abstract: A brake pedal mechanism limits the reaction force applied on a brake pedal lever pivot. The pivot is formed by a slot closed by a tang yieldably connected to a retaining arm of a pivotable release lever. A release arm of the release lever is engagable by an actuating rod of a brake booster when moved beyond the normal travel limit of the rod. In one case, excessive brake pedal force causes the tang to yield and release the brake pedal pivot pin. In another case, excess rearward motion of the actuating rod pivots the release lever, lifting the tang and freeing the pivot pin. In either case, the reaction force on the pivot is maintained below a desired limit.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission control system determines the desired speed ratio for a continuously variable transmission from various input data received from the vehicle and operator. The desired speed ratio is compared with a commanded speed ratio to provide an error signal which establishes a new commanded speed ratio for the continuously variable transmission. The comparing process of desired speed ratio to commanded speed ratio is repeated until the error signal is substantially null. Also, the control provides an adaptive modifier for the actuator of the continuously variable transmission such that a comparison of actual transmission ratio to commanded speed ratio will determine if an adaptive modification is necessary. The control further provides a step control function which is operable when the ratio of the continuously variable transmission is moving toward an underdrive ratio.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal mechanism for automotive vehicles includes a pedal lever with a pivot near its center between its ends. An upper end of the lever is connected with a throttle cable that extends through a conduit to an operated device, such as a throttle valve or other power control. A lower end of the lever carries a foot pedal engagable by a driver's foot to operate the pedal. The central pivot is carried in a bracket having a slot or other form of track along which the pivot is movable generally longitudinally of the vehicle. As the pivot is moved rearward along the slot, the pedal is moved closer to the driver. The slot is positioned or configured so that the height of the pedal remains constant or is slightly lowered as the pedal is moved rearward. If the vehicle is provided with an electronic throttle control, or similar device, the upper end of the lever may be omitted and a position controller may be mounted at or adjacent the location of the pivot.

Abstract: A vehicle body has front and rear door openings defined by front, middle and rear pillars and by the vehicle roof. A bi-fold door includes upper and lower door portions, each of which extends full length from the front pillar to the rear pillar. An upper hinge acts between the roof and the upper edge of the upper door portion. A door panel hinge acts between the adjacent edges of the upper and lower door portions. A track extends vertically along the middle pillar and a track follower is carried by the lower door portion at the lower edge adjacent the bottom thereof and is engaged in the track. A door beam is mounted within the lower door portion and extends the full length of the door from the front to the rear pillar. A first door latch is mounted on the front pillar and a second door latch is mounted on the rear pillar. Latch strikers are mounted respectively on the front and rear ends of the lower door portion to engage with the first and second door latches.

Abstract: Composite bodies of magnetostrictive materials of the type RE-Fe.sub.2, where RE is one or more of the rare earth elements, preferably samarium or terbium, can be suitably hot pressed with a matrix metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, iron, magnesium or nickel to form durable and machinable magnetostrictive composites still displaying appreciable magnetostrictive strains.

Abstract: A locking device for locking an adjustable steering column in an adjusted position including a lateral clamping element having enlarged heads at opposite ends thereof and a piston and a cylinder between the enlarged heads and a rotatable locking rod for locking or unlocking the steering column arranged axially immovable relative to the steering column and compactly in a space that is little used. The piston and cylinder have overlapping bores parallel to the centerline of the steering column. The locking rod, also parallel to the centerline of the steering column, has an oval-shaped portion protruding through the overlapping bores so that when the long axis of the oval-shaped portion is vertical the clamping element is loose and the steering column is vertically and horizontally adjustable and when the long axis of the oval-shaped portion is horizontal the clamping element is tight and the steering column is vertically and horizontally locked.

Abstract: Side attachment assemblies are provided for mounting an instrument panel cross car support beam structure or the like to right and left hand cowl panels of a vehicle body.

Abstract: An electrical connection includes a wiring harness and an electrical device. The electrical device has a molded plastic support and a flexible printed circuit. The molded plastic support has an end wall that includes mechanical locks and the flexible printed circuit has a connector portion that overlies the end wall. The wiring harness includes a second flexible printed circuit and a plastic end connector that backs a connector portion of the second flexible printed circuit. A clamp bracket is attached to the end wall of the molded plastic support by mechanical locks and clamps the plastic end connector and the connector portion of the second flexible printed circuit against the end wall with the connector portion of the second flexible printed circuit engaging the connector portion of the flexible printed circuit of the electrical device. The clamp bracket may be insert molded or an integral part of an automotive trim piece, such as inner door panel or instrument panel fascia.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system with a housing for a seat belt retractor, the housing having a rotatable escutcheon with an exit slot for the seat belt webbing. The escutcheon is preferably mounted to a bearing attached to the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a perimeter frame including laterally spaced right and left side rails of tubular construction and front and rear bumper rails of tubular construction extending between the side rails. A structural tunnel extends longitudinally of the vehicle midway between the side rails and has front and rear ends. The structural tunnel includes an inverted U-shaped channel having vertically depending the first and second legs, and a close-out plate which extends horizontally between the legs. First and second front shear walls extend forwardly and diagonally from the first and second legs at the front of the tunnel to the respective right and left side rails of the perimeter frame. Similarly, first and second rear shear walls extend generally rearward and diagonally from the first and second legs at the rear end of the tunnel to the respective left and right side rails of the perimeter frame.

Abstract: The invention includes an electrical connection system utilizing a terminal/cavity combination. The system includes a connector housing having a bay for receiving a plurality of the terminal/cavity combination units in a stacked relationship. The terminal/cavity combination unit includes a metal terminal, preferably having a tuning fork configuration, that is received in an electrically insulative carrier. The insulative carrier has a terminal cavity defined in part by two spaced apart side walls and a floor extending between the side walls for supporting the terminal. The carrier also includes a front wall having an opening for receiving a portion of a second terminal therethrough and so that the second terminal makes electrical contact with the terminal in the carrier. At least one indexing rail extends downwardly from a portion of the floor. Carriers can be stacked one on top of the other wherein the rail or rails are received between the two spaced apart walls of the carrier below.

Abstract: An overhead cam engine with an engine lubrication system comprises a valve train assembly which includes a camshaft rotatably supported by a cylinder head. An oil lubricated camshaft drive chain engages the camshaft to rotate it. A valve train lubricating assembly is disposed above the cylinder head and includes a baffle, radially positioned from the drive chain, to capture oil spray departing from the drive chain and a trough positioned above the valve train assembly. The trough is configured as an upward facing U-shaped channel, including an end wall to close the trough, defining a reservoir to collect oil from the baffle. Side outlets allow oil to overflow from the trough where outward protruding dimples act as precipitation points to target lubrication onto the valve train assembly.

Abstract: A steering column including a mast jacket adjustable vertically and horizontally and clamp. The clamp includes a housing having a pair of piston bores and a control shaft bore intersecting each of the piston bores. A control shaft is rotatable in the control shaft bore and connected to a manual operating lever. A pair of passages in the control shaft define gates in the piston bores which are fully open and partially open in an unlocked position and in a locked position, respectively, of the manual operating lever. Aggregates of media grains in the piston bores traverse the open gates without interference in response to relative linear translation between the pistons and the piston bores. The media grains bridge the partially open gates and clump in the piston bores to define solid plugs which rigidly immobilize the pistons.

Abstract: A closed end tube particularly for use in a vehicle suspension damper includes a tubular body with an attachment fitting fixed to the end of the tube where the closed end of the tube is manufactured according to a multi-step process. Initially, the process commences with a tubular body having an opening at both ends. One of the ends is formed so that the tube is partially closed with a reduced opening remaining. An attachment fitting is forced against the partially closed end of the tube to completely close the end and a welding operation is used to fix the attachment fitting to the now closed end of the tube.

Abstract: A lockable endgate for a pickup truck includes a lift handle assembly mounted within the endgate for releasably securing the endgate in a closed position. The lift handle assembly includes a lift handle actuating a pair of handle pawls which translate a pair of latching mechanisms thereby releasing the endgate from the closed position. The lockable endgate further includes a bezel mounted on the outer panel having an access hole for the lift handle to extend through. A key actuated locking cylinder is mounted to the bezel and includes a locking pawl which prevents the actuation of the handle pawls in the locked position. A rigid close out plate is also included which mounts between the locking pawl and the bezel.

Abstract: Composite bodies of magnetostrictive materials of the type RE-Fe.sub.2, where RE is one or more of the rare earth elements, preferably samarium or terbium, can be suitably hot pressed with a matrix metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, iron, magnesium or nickel to form durable and machinable magnetostrictive composites still displaying appreciable magnetostrictive strains.