Abstract: A parking brake having first and second brake shoes with a first end engaging an anchor post on a backing plate and a second end engaging an adjuster. An actuator located adjacent the anchor post has a first end that engages a first web on the first brake shoe and a second end the engages second web on the second brake shoe. A brake cable is connected to the actuator assembly for providing a force for moving the first and second brake shoes into engagement with the drum to effect a brake application. The actuator is characterized by a housing having first and second spaced apart walls with a first end and a second end. The first and second ends each have first and second ears with the first and second ears on the first end being joined together adjacent a central plane mid-way between the first and second side walls to establish a first slot that receives the first web.

Abstract: Wheel speed values for each of four wheels are collected and statistically analyzed axle by axle for a difference which could indicate low tire pressure. Prior to analysis, and following reset of the system, calibration factors are determined for each axle to compensate for rolling radius variation, and are subsequently used to correct the percentage difference values for the two wheels on any one axle. When a sufficient number of values have been collected, a t0 value is calculated for each axle according the paired t-test statistical method or a slight variation thereof The t0 value for each axle is then compared to a respective empirical value based on a predetermined pressure loss. This comparison can provide the basis for a driver warning. Various types of filters can be used prior to calculating the t0 values to eliminate data that may lead to improper deflation detection.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly (10) having first (12) and second (14) brake shoes retained on a backing plate (16). The first (12) and second (14) brake shoes have a first end (22,24) aligned on a hydraulic actuator assembly (26) and a second end (28,30) aligned on an anchor block (40). An adjustable strut mechanism (32) has an extendable shaft (33) with first end member (34) which engages the first brake shoe (12) and a second end member (36) which engages the second brake shoe (14). The first end member (34) is separated from the second end member (36) by a stem member (35). Stem member (35) has a threaded first end (39) which is mated with the second end member (36) and a smooth second end (31) which is retained in a bore of the first end member (34). The first (12) and second (14) brake shoes are urged toward the hydraulic actuator assembly (26) by a first resilient member (150) and toward the anchor block (40) by a second resilient member (48).

Abstract: A fuel rail assembly comprising a fuel rail and a damper assembly in the fuel rail. The damper assembly includes a damper having an end and an inner surface defining a cavity, and a sealing member at least partially received in the end and bonded to the inner surface to substantially seal the cavity. The sealing member is preferably a metal wire that includes a sealing portion bonded to the inner surface to substantially seal the cavity. The bond is preferably formed by induction brazing, and the sealing member is coated with copper to facilitate the brazing. The invention also provides a fuel rail assembly comprising a fuel rail having a longitudinal axis and an inner wall. A damper assembly in the fuel rail includes a damper, and a spring locator coupled with the damper, the spring locator having two positioning portions outwardly biased to engage the inner wall of the fuel rail and position the damper assembly axially in the fuel rail. The spring locator is preferably a metal wire.

Abstract: A control apparatus (12) for a brake system (10) having a housing (40) with a first (42) and second (46) cylindrical members located in first (44) and second (46) bores. The first (42) and second (46) cylindrical members and corresponding first (50) and second (54) valve seat members define first (52) and second (56) chambers within the first (44) and second (46) bores which are connected to a source of pressurized fluid. First valve means (68) are located in the first chamber (52) and second valve means (70) are located in the second chamber (56). A first plunger means (72) in the first bore (40) and a first valve seat member (50) define a first brake chamber (74) which is connected to a first set (16) of wheel brakes and a second plunger means (76) in the second bore (48) and a second valve seat member (54) define a second brake chamber (78) in the second bore (46) which is connected to a second set (16′) of wheel brakes in the vehicle.

Abstract: A brake booster having a front shell joined to a rear shell with the interior separated by a wall to at least define a first front chamber and a first rear chamber. A reinforcement plate located adjacent an end face of the front shell has a plurality of studs for attaching a master cylinder to the front shell. First and second tubes which extend through the wall each have having a first end sealed with respect to the front shell and a second end sealed with respect to the rear shell. A fastener arrangement extends through the first and second tubes for attaching the brake booster to a wall of a vehicle. The fastener arrangement is characterized by first bushing members located between the front shell and reinforcing plate and a second bushing members secured to the rear shell. The first bushing members each including a first cylindrical body which have a stepped bore defined by a first diameter separated from a second diameter by a first shoulder.

Abstract: A valve (60) for use in a brake system (10) through which a source (32) of fluid charges an accumulator (24) to a desired fluid pressure level and through which fluid pressure present in a conduit (52) is communicated to a reservoir (33) in the absence of the flow of fluid from the source. The valve (60) has a housing (62) with a bore (64) therein with an entrance port (66) connected to the source of fluid (32), an exit port (68) connected by a flexible conduit (52) to the accumulator (24) and exhaust port (70) connected to the reservoir (33). A sleeve (72) which is located in bore (64) has an internal bore (74) with a first diameter (82) for retaining a first ball (90), a second diameter (80) for retaining a linkage member (94) and a third diameter (86) for retaining a second ball (92). A first spring (93) urges the first ball (90) toward a first seat (84′) formed between the first (82) and second (80) diameters.

Abstract: A fluid power apparatus having a housing with a bore therein which is divided by a power piston into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The power piston has a passageway for connecting the inlet chamber with an outlet chamber. A valve arrangement controls the flow of a fluid under pressure from a source through the passageway. The valve arrangement including a valve seal, a valve spring and an input rod. The valve spring urges the valve seal into engagement with the input rod to define a working chamber within said passageway. The fluid under pressure flows from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber by passing between the valve seal and a valve seat located in the working chamber. The flowing of fluid past the valve seat in a rest mode of operation develops a turbulence which creates a broad band non-resonance sound having an acceptable audible level of approximately 30 dB.

Abstract: A brake system (10) having a control member (12) through which a remotely located master cylinder (18) is selectively supplied with either a first operational fluid developed by a first pump (14), a second operational fluid developed by a second pump arrangement (500,600) or a third operational fluid from a storage system (302) as a function of a brake force applied to an input push rod (16) and a sensed flow of operational fluid through a shuttle valve (64) to the master cylinder for effecting a desired brake application. A electronic control unit (200) receives an input signal corresponding to the brake force and a sensed flow to activate the second pump arrangement (500,600). Whenever the fluid pressure of the first operational fluid is insufficient, the second pump is activated and the second operational fluid supplants the operation of the master cylinder (18) by the first operational fluid to effect the desired brake application.

Abstract: A method of fastening a first member to a second member. The first member has a first opening with first left handed threads that extend from a first surface to a second surface. A stud having a shaft with a first section having right handed threads that extend from an end to a first groove, a second section with second left handed threads that extend from the first groove to a second groove adjacent a head and a radial surface that extends on an angle from the second groove toward a peripheral surface on the head is obtained from a supply source. The shaft is inserted into the first opening to engage the first and second left handed threads and an initial torque is applied to the head to bring the radial surface into engagement with the first left handed threads. Thereafter, additional torque is applied to the head to cause the radial surface to engage and deform a portion of the first left handed threads as the peripheral surface is moved into engagement with the second surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a bag with a reclosable zipper includes feeding an elongated sheet of bag film in a first direction under a placement head. A zipper assembly is fed in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction into the placement head, and the segment of the zipper assembly in the placement head is cut off. Rollers may be used to retain the zipper segment in the placement head. The placement head, with the zipper segment, is moved adjacent the bag film. The bag film is then compressed between a hot sealing bar and a resilient portion of the placement head to seal the zipper segment to the bag film. Then the bag film is folded over the zipper segment, sealed along a bottom and rear seam, and sealed to the other side of the zipper segment.

Abstract: A brake system has a brake booster secured to a dash panel which separates an engine compartment from a passenger compartment of a vehicle. A bracket off-sets the booster into the engine compartment from the dash panel. A cylindrical body has a flange on a first end located between the housing of the brake booster and the bracket. The cylindrical body has a partition wall located between the first end and a second end and a radial opening located between the partition wall and the second end. The partition wall has a central opening through which an input rod extends to provide a valve with an input force. An end boot, secured to the second end of the cylindrical body and the input rod, forms a resonant chamber within the cylindrical body. The radial opening provides unrestricted communication air from the engine compartment to the resonant chamber while the central opening forms an orifice to control the air flow from the resonant chamber into the valve body.

Abstract: A remotely located brake booster for supplying an input force to a pressurizing device to develop pressurized fluid to effect a brake application. The brake booster responds to an actuation signal in the form of pressurized fluid being communicated from a control apparatus activated by an operator. The brake booster has a housing with a bore and a piston located therein to define an operational chamber. The housing has an inlet port through which pressurized fluid from the control apparatus is receiving by the operational chamber. The piston moves from a rest position to an actuation position in response to pressurized fluid being received in the operational chamber to produce the input force for operating the pressurizing device.

Abstract: A materials handling apparatus including a closure door which can be selectively operated to open or close the access opening in the apparatus. The door is operated by means of an air cylinder under the control of an air valve and an electronic control.

Abstract: A system for sensing the presence, position and type classification of an occupant in a passenger seat of a vehicle, as well as for sensing the presence of a rear-facing child seat therein, for use in controlling a related air bag activator control system to enable, disable or control inflation rate or amount of inflation of an air bag. The sensor system employs sensor fusion, a process of combining information provided by two or more sensors (24, 26), each of which "sees" the world in a unique sense. In a preferred embodiment, infrared sensor inputs (78) and ultrasonic sensor inputs (79) are combined in a microprocessor by a sensor fusion algorithm (80) to produce an occupancy state output signal (85) to the air bag controller.

Abstract: An engine management system for 4-cycle engines includes a processing means and utilizes various inputs from sensors operatively connected to the engine for the purpose of providing the correct fuel/air ratio or spark ignition angle for the engine in a manner whereby the transient response is fast. The engine management system utilizes the rotational speed information that is obtained from a magneto or speed sensor to determine the speed of each engine revolution. The system effectively solves many of the fuel/air ratio problems that are caused by load transients occurring on the engine. By comparing such high pass filtered speeds of selected revolutions, the system is able to determine the inferred engine intake air flow. By using measured system rotational inertia compensation factors for the engine together with the inferred intake air flow, the system can accurately determine the amount of fuel to be fed to the engine for proper operation.