Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control unit includes a valve body having a recess formed in a surface thereof and a circumferential wall which extends around the recess. The wall includes at least one widened portion. An electronic control Unit is mounted over the recess. The electronic control unit carries a circuit substrate which extends over the widened portion of the valve body wall such that widened portion of the valve body wall forms a heat for an electronic component carried by the circuit substrate. Additionally, components mounted on upon the circuit substrate, including a motor connector extending into the recess. A pump motor is mounted upon the valve body surface opposite from the electronic control unit. An electrical connector extends from the motor through a bore formed in the valve body and connects to the motor connector mounted upon the circuit substrate.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic brake system where brake pressure is controlled by the combined action of an apply valve and a dump valve by the implementation of a method of controlling the voltage applied to the apply and dump valve. The EHB pressure control system receives a desired wheel pressure command and, with a caliper pressure feedback signal, implements an algorithm to compute one voltage command for the apply valve and another for the dump valve. The solenoids of the proportional apply and dump poppet valves are operated to control flow in or out of the brakes and modulate wheel pressure as required. The algorithm is used to control the electromagnetic poppet valves in all states of flow through the valve. The algorithm is a function of the existing pressure within the system and whether there is bulk or leakage flow through the valves.

Abstract: A coil assembly comprises a coil wound upon a bobbin. A pair of terminals is supported by the bobbin. The coil has a pair of lead wires, each of which is connected to one of the terminals. Each terminal is adapted to be coupled to an electronic control unit. The coil is enclosed at least in part by a flux return casing. At least one resilient member is arranged and configured to urge the bobbin and the casing axially downward.

Abstract: This invention relates to an anti-corrosion member adapted for use in a vehicle wheel end assembly vehicle wheel end assembly. The vehicle wheel end assembly includes a bearing unit formed from steel and including a pilot surface and a steering knuckle formed from aluminum and having a portion supported on the pilot surface of the bearing unit. The assembly further includes an anti-corrosion member disposed on the pilot surface of the bearing unit so as to be interposed between the bearing unit and the portion of the steering knuckle when assembled so as to prevent direct contact therebetween whereby galvanic corrosion between the steel bearing unit and the aluminum steering knuckle is prevented. The anti-corrosion member can be formed from plastic or formed from metal and coated with an anti-corrosive material.

Abstract: A piston for a low pressure fluid accumulator of a hydraulic control unit of a vehicle brake system includes a cylindrical body having an outer surface defining a first end surface of the piston. The first end surface includes a plurality of interconnected ridges. The ridges have outer surfaces and form cavities therebetween. Each ridge is adapted to provide a sealing surface between the first end surface of the piston and an inner surface of a fluid accumulator in which the piston may be inserted. In one embodiment of the invention, the closed end of the piston includes a thick self-supporting wall. A thin skirt extends from the thick self-supporting wall toward the open end of the piston. A plurality of axially extending skirt support ribs is formed on the inner surface of the piston skirt.

Abstract: A brake rotor adapted for use in a vehicle brake system includes a brake rotor formed by a casting process. The brake rotor includes an inner mounting flange and an outer friction disc. The inner mounting flange includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a center pilot hole formed therethrough. The outer friction disc includes an inner friction plate and an outer friction plate. The inner friction plate has an outer facing surface, an outer peripheral edge and an inner peripheral edge. The outer friction plate has an outer facing surface and an outer peripheral edge. The outer friction plate is connected to the inner mounting flange by a hat, and the hat has an outer facing surface and an inner facing surface. The inner mounting flange of the brake rotor includes a plurality of lug bolt receiving holes formed therethrough which are formed during the casting process.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is mounted upon a hydraulic valve body. The sensor has a base which extends into a bore formed in the valve body. The valve body bore is in communication with a pressurized hydraulic fluid. A cover that is removably attached to the valve body encloses the pressure sensor. A circuit substrate is disposed within the cover and electrically connected to the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A manifold for distributing a fluid. The manifold can be used to distribute a fluid to and from a microvalve. The manifold includes a first plate having a groove formed in one face thereof. A second plate is fixed to the first plate so as to cover the groove to form a fluid passage through the groove. First and second bores are formed through at least one of the first plate and the second plate to form an inlet and an outlet, respectively, of the fluid passage. According to a method of manufacturing, etching the first plate forms the groove. Preferably, an etching process also forms the first and second bores. Also, preferably, the first plate is one of a plurality of plates formed from a single sheet of material. Preferably the sheet of material is a standard sized sheet with locating indicia enabling assembly of the manifold with standard pick and place equipment.

Abstract: A test apparatus which having a window comparitor circuit which includes a coil. The coil is placed over a solenoid valve cartridge and switched on and off. The on time of the window comparitor circuit is measured to verify correct assembly of the solenoid valve cartridge.

Abstract: A vehicular brake system includes a hydraulic master cylinder connected to wheel brakes via brake conduits. A pump generates fluid pressures and pressure control valves located between the master cylinder and the wheel brakes regulate the fluid pressures at the wheel brakes to achieve anti-lock and traction control functions. A medium pressure accumulator stores fluid pressurized by the pump that is supplied to the wheel brakes via associated control valves to achieve a vehicle stability control braking function. An evacuation valve is provided in the conduit in which the medium pressure accumulator is provided. The evacuation valve permits evacuation and fill of an otherwise isolated conduit without increasing cycle times or complexity of procedures during installation of the system. Additionally, the evacuation valve can be used during service of the brake system if desired.

Abstract: A signal conditioning circuit is provided for a plurality of pressure signals generated by individual pressure sensors mounted upon a hydraulic control valve. The signal conditioning circuit sequentially samples each of the pressure sensors and multiplexes the individual pressure signals into a single analog pressure signal. The signal conditioning circuit includes a differential amplifier that is compensated for offset and linearity as a function of which particular pressure sensor is being sensed.

Abstract: A microvalve device for controlling fluid flow in a fluid circuit. The microvalve device comprises a body having a cavity formed therein. A pilot valve supported by the body is movably disposed in the cavity for opening and closing pilot ports formed in the body. A pilot operated microvalve is positioned by the pressure of the fluid controlled by the pilot valve.

Abstract: A wheel speed sensor and bearing assembly for use in a wheel end assembly of a vehicle. The assembly includes an outer race, an inner race, a bearing unit, a spindle, a wheel speed sensor and a tone wheel. The outer race includes an opened inboard end, an opened outboard end, and at least one bearing seat. The inner race includes at least one bearing seat. The bearing unit is disposed between the bearing seats of the outer race and inner race. The spindle is adapted to be secured to a fixed component of the vehicle and includes an inboard end, an outboard end, and an opening formed therethrough. The wheel speed sensor is operatively connected to the spindle adjacent the outboard end thereof. The wheel speed sensor includes an outer magnet surface. The tone wheel is operatively secured to the outer race adjacent the opened outboard end thereof. The tone wheel includes an inner surface which is positioned in a spaced apart relationship relative to the outer magnet surface of the wheel speed sensor.

Abstract: Hydraulic or electro-hydraulic braking systems which include at least one wheel braking device and micro-machined technology, such as microvalves, are described herein. The use of the microvalves helps to eliminate audible noise produced in the hydraulic systems as well as allows for reduced package size of the system. In particular, many of the braking systems described herein have Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) capabilities, and as such employ apply microvalves, dump microvalves and changeover microvalves. The microvalves may be digitally or proportionally controlled for selectively controlling the pressure supplied to the wheel brake cylinders.

Abstract: An electric motor has a housing closed at one end by an end plate assembly including a motor driver transistor. The transistor is mounted on a disk and is connected to brushes by lead frames that have ends terminating in a projection integral for connection to an electronic control unit associated with the motor.

Abstract: A hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system includes a housing. A bore is formed in the housing. A valve seat is received in the bore. A sleeve is mounted on the valve seat. The sleeve includes an annular groove for receiving material from the housing to retain the sleeve on the housing. An armature core is slidably received in the sleeve.

Abstract: An electrical connector is mounted within an end of a cylindrical pressure sensor housing. The connector has a base that is disc-shaped with a diameter that is less than the diameter of the housing to allow the connector to move within the housing in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the housing. A piece of flex circuit connects conductors carried on the connector base to other electrical components within the pressure sensor while allowing the base to move.

Abstract: A fluid control valve assembly including a microvalve for controlling fluid flow in a fluid circuit having a relatively high fluid pressure requirement, such as vehicular brake system, is fixed to an associated fluid distributing substrate with a high-pressure fluid connection. The fluid distributing substrate is provided with fluid passages adapted for connection to a fluid source to provide communication between the fluid source and the microvalve device. The connection between the microvalve and the fluid distributing substrate may include metallic connections forming electrical current paths between the microvalve and the substrate; solder joints forming part of the pressure boundary of the high-pressure fluid connection; underfill formed of elastomeric or other adhesive; and bonding between the substrate and the microvalves in only selected portions of the surface of the microvalve.

Abstract: This invention related to a multi-layered damped anchor shim adapted for use in a drum brake assembly. The anchor shim includes an inner surface and an outer surface which is adapted to contact the second ends of the brake shoes. The anchor shim includes a damping material applied to the inner surface thereof so as to be disposed between adjacent contacting areas of the outer surface of the inner retainer plate and the inner surface of the anchor shim to thereby reduce the transmission of noise from the brake shoes through the abutment assembly to the backing plate.

Abstract: Diagnostic monitoring of electrical signals from a quadrature sensor used for vehicle steering angle detection includes comparing the signals with a fault threshold (i.e., out-of-range voltages). A controller distinguishes between events of short enough duration that they do not cause loss of position accuracy and those where signal transitions were potentially missed.