Abstract: Pneumatic state estimation operations for estimating gas flow and pressure at pneumatic nodes and flow branches within a reticulated engine system for engine control and diagnostic operations resolves net flow imbalances at specific pneumatic nodes and attributes such imbalances to inaccuracies in pneumatic state estimation. Inaccuracies are corrected as a function of a prior pneumatic state estimate and of a net flow imbalance at the node or a neighboring node for precision engine control and diagnostic operations.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated valve includes a first subassembly that carries a coil having its terminal pins attached to a structure such as a circuit board or lead frame. A second subassembly is provided for mating with the first subassembly and carries the valve body. The first subassembly has a solenoid spool including the coil, and a case surrounding the spool. An end plate is suitably locked to the case. A bias spring is provided between the spool and the end of the case. The spool assembly is designed to be freely floating both radially and axially within the coil case and end plate, as restricted by the bias spring. This permits proper location of the coil case to the hydraulic valve body assembly.

Abstract: A transmission control has a manual selector valve for distributing fluid pressure to various transmission elements. A linear voltage displacement transducer (LVDT) is coupled with the selector valve to provide a variable electrical signal through the range of movement of the selector valve. However, each selector position is described or defined by a discrete or distinct electrical signal from the LVDT. The LVDT electrical signal is directed to a powertrain control module (PCM) which processes the electrical signal to effect proper powertrain control.

Abstract: Power transmission torque transmitting assemblies, such as clutches and brakes, have an axially movable piston which is hydraulically actuated to engage and enforce frictional contact between a plurality of friction discs. Upon piston retraction during disengagement, a stroke adjustment mechanism establishes the retraction distance of the piston and thereby the free-running clearance in the torque transmitter. The stroke adjustment mechanism has a helical gear movable axially with the piston during engagement and disengagement. During engagement, the piston is free to rotate as required by a retainer plate to accommodate fall engagement with the torque transmitting assembly. During disengagement, a one-way assembly prevents rotation of the gear relative to a spring retainer plate and limits axial movement of the piston relative to the retainer plate to establish the disengaged position of the piston and the proper free-running clearance in the torque transmitting assembly.

Abstract: A power steering gear for a motor vehicle including a pinion head and a spool shaft rotatable relative to each other, a torsion bar between the spool shaft and the pinion head, a valve spool formed integrally on the spool shaft, a valve body closely received on the spool shaft around the valve spool and rotatable relative to the spool shaft, and a tripod joint coupling the valve body to the pinion head for unitary rotation and consisting of three equally angularly spaced slots in an end of the valve body and three equally angularly spaced radial pins on the pinion head each having a spherical lobe closely received in a corresponding one of the slots in the valve body. An inboard end of the spool shaft adjacent the pinion head is unsupported laterally on the pinion head except through the valve body and the tripod joint and, consequently, floats with the valve body in the event of lateral runout between the pinion head and the spool shaft to minimize valve hysteresis attributable to such lateral runout.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint system includes an inflator for generating inflator gas and a bladder inflatable upon generation of gas by the inflator. The bladder includes a forward panel, a rearward panel, and a pair of opposing end panels extending between and interconnecting the forward and rearward panels. Preferably, the bladder is made of a metal material. Also preferably, the system includes an instrument panel having a lower portion and the bladder is positioned beneath the lower portion of the instrument panel to serve as a knee bolster when inflated for protection of the occupant.

Abstract: A clutch includes an input shaft with a clutch plate engaged with the input shaft to rotate in concert therewith. The clutch plate has an annular disk portion with a clutch plate set of lands and grooves. A housing includes a body supported on the input shaft by a bearing with a body set of lands and grooves mating with the clutch plate set of lands and grooves. A cover is included as part of the housing and engages with the body. A pump plate is captured between the cover and the body separating out a working chamber. The pump plate includes an engage port and a pump-out port positioned further radially outward in the pump plate than the engage port. A control arm normally closes the engage port and is rotatable to open the engage port. A slide-block is carried in a pocket of the cover with a spring biasing the slide-block toward engagement with the control arm. The slide-block locks the control arm against rotation when the clutch is inactive.

Abstract: A simple planetary gearset, a compound pinion planetary gearset, two clutches and two brakes are combined to provide four forward speed ratios and a reverse ratio. One of the clutches provides an input connection while the other provides a planetary interconnection. The two brakes are connected with respective first and second members of the simple planetary gearset while the third member of the planetary is continuously driven by a power input. The compound pinion planetary gearset has one member continuously connected with a power output shaft, a second member connected with the input clutch and the interconnecting clutch, and a third member connected with one of the brakable members of the simple planetary gearset.

Abstract: A foundry mold member made from a plurality of sand particles bound together with a binder which is concentrated at the contact points between contiguous sand particles and consists essentially of gelatins having a Bloom rating less than about 175 Bloom grams. The sand particles are first coated with a sol of the gelatin, cooled to ambient temperature and conditioned to a prescribed water content necessary to effect migration of the gelatin to the interparticle contact points upon heating of the coated particles in a pattern mold.

Abstract: A capillary action preventor (CAP) for separating water and other liquids from a bundle of wires has a body and a cover of plastic construction that are attached to each other by a flexible plastic hinge. The body is generally bulb shaped and has an open channel at each longitudinal end that is reduced in height and width in comparison to a midsection of the body. Each channel has a pair of flexible cantilevered fingers at the top for holding a portion of a bundle of electrical wires that passes through the CAP. The body includes a comb-like structure comprising a plurality of laterally spaced, relatively stiff, vertical fingers at its midsection for separating the electrical wires. The electrical wires are supported on a plurality of narrow transverse baffles that define a sump area between the channels for the collection of water and other liquids dripping from the electrical wires. The sump area includes a drain tube.

Abstract: Mechanical lash in a cruise control system including a cruise control actuator linked to an engine intake air valve through a cruise cable assembly is automatically measured and stored for use in cruise control operations. The cruise control actuator is driven from a base position along a position schedule while an engine parameter responsive to change in intake air valve position is monitored for any significant parameter change indicating movement of the intake air valve in response to the actuator movement. The amount of actuator movement required before any significant change occurs in the engine parameter is stored as representing the mechanical lash. Cruise control commands are augmented by the learned mechanical lash before being applied to the cruise control actuator.

Abstract: A gas flow system for an emission analysis bench includes a source of blended calibration span gas using a single span tree connected with all the analyzers so that a method of simultaneous calibration or diagnosis of all the analyzers may be carried out and the need for multiple span trees connected with various separate span gases is avoided. The method includes concurrent delivery of one or more divisions of the span gases to all the analyzers to obtain intermediate data points from the analyzers. A further step of using a precalibrated or linear analyzer, such as the flame ionization detector (FID hydrocarbons analyzer) of the system, to accurately determine the percentage ratio of intermediate divide points obtained by mixing various amounts of zero gas with the span gas simplifies the calibration procedure and eliminates the need for an expensive gas divider.

Abstract: An intumescent thermoplastic elastomer molding composition is disclosed that includes high density polyethylene with chlorinated polyethylene and/or silicone rubber; a heat stabilizer for the thermoplastic elastomer material and an intumescent and fire-resistant additive for the thermoplastic elastomer, whereby moldings prepared from such mixture have good physical properties over a substantial range of ambient temperatures and display a resistance to flame and heat as characterized by the Intumescence Efficiency test of this specification.

Abstract: An electrical connection system with terminals connecting multiple flex circuits for use as a power distribution system in automotive vehicles is disclosed.

Abstract: A non pressurized internal separator leak test method is disclosed for a two pass condenser in which helium is injected below a vertical manifold tank separator, allowed to rise, and detected or not detected above the separator. The helium cannot reach the upper side of the separator other than through a separator leak path, because it will not flow sideways down the flow tubes.

Abstract: The invention includes a single-piece clip for securing an article(s) to a panel having a hole formed therein. The clip includes a tape bar having a slot formed in the bar and at least one portion of the bar for securing to the article such as a wire harness by taping or other suitable means. The clip also includes a stem extending through the slot and having an insertion head at one end for inserting through the hole in a panel and engaging the rear face of the panel. A first set of wings extend outwardly from the stem at a location below the insertion head and above a top surface of the tape bar. A second set of wings extend outwardly from the stem at one end of the stem and below a bottom face of the tape bar. Both sets of wings have a breadth sufficient to prevent the wings from being pulled or pushed through the slot formed in the tape bar.

Abstract: An electrical distribution center comprises a main bus plate assembly that is sandwiched between upper and lower auxiliary bus plate assemblies of a known type. The main bus plate assembly comprises stamped metal circuit components having bus strips sandwiched between upper and lower insulation plates that are permanently secured together. The stamped metal circuit components have male blade terminals that protrude through slots of the upper and lower insulation plates. The slots have laterally flexible side wall portions that are spread apart by embossments of the stamped metal circuit components to retain these components during the assembly process.

Abstract: A multi-speed power transmission has five forward speeds and one reverse speed. The forward speeds consist of three underdrives, a direct drive and one overdrive. These speed ratios are produced with a simple planetary gearset, a compound planetary gearset, three input clutches, a combining clutch, a one-way clutch and two brake assemblies. Each of the brake assemblies incorporates a friction brake and a one-way brake. The combining clutch is disengaged in the low forward and reverse ratios and is engaged to connect the ring gears of the compound set with the carrier of the simple set. The one-way clutch is disposed between the ring gears of both sets to transmit rotation therebetween in an active capacity in the low forward ratio and no load capacity in the reverse ratio. In the second through fifth forward speeds, the one-way clutch permits relative rotation between the ring gears. The ring gear of the simple planetary gearset is continuously connected with the output shaft.

Abstract: An air bag restraint system includes an instrument panel having an upper pad having a rearward edge and a lower pad having an upper edge. The upper edge of the lower pad is releasably connected to the rearward edge of the upper pad. The air bag restraint system also includes an air bag module mounted forward of the lower pad and including an air bag deployable in a generally rearward direction. Upon air bag deployment, the force of the deploying air bag releases the upper edge of the lower pad from the rearward edge of the upper pad such that the lower pad bends generally rearwardly and downwardly for permitting deployment of the air bag rearward of the lower pad.

Abstract: A thrust has a pair of axially extending positioning and retaining members which align with respective recesses formed in a transmission housing component in which the thrust washer is to be retained. The retaining member has a resilient portion which is deformable to accommodate interference fit with the respective recess thereby retaining the washer in situ. The positioning member provides a locating element and prevents rotational displacement of the washer during assembly of the housing to the transmission.