Abstract: A fuel injector including a jacket, a valve seat, and a needle valve apparatus mounted within the jacket and engagable with the valve seat. The needle valve apparatus includes a plurality of holes for filtering fuel flowing through the injector. Each of the holes has a diameter sized to prevent passage therethrough of particles having widths of approximately 0.050 millimeters and larger. In one aspect of the invention, the needle valve apparatus includes a needle valve assembly having at least one transverse aperture through which fuel can flow and a generally tubular filter surrounding at least a portion of the needle valve assembly. The plurality of holes for filtering fuel is formed in the tubular filter. In another aspect, the needle valve apparatus includes a needle valve assembly having a needle valve with a wall that includes the plurality of holes.

Abstract: A fuel injector module for an internal combustion engine having two banks of cylinders includes a longitudinally extending central portion with opposing sides, at least two branches extending laterally from one of the opposing sides, and at least two more branches extending laterally from the other of the opposing sides. Each of the branches includes an injector receptacle for housing a fuel injector that injects fuel into a respective cylinder. Each of the branches also includes an electrical connector adjacent the injector receptacle for providing electrical power to the fuel injector. Preferably, each of the electrical connectors includes a pogo-pin electrically coupled to the fuel injector.

Abstract: An improved automotive occupancy sensor (AOS) system comprising a linear or spaced array of ultrasound (US) transducers mounted adjacent the headliner of a vehicle to direct an array of US beams to define a preselected occupancy zone adjacent a seat of the vehicle. The AOS electronics may be integrally packaged with the transducer array and flush mounted within the headliner. The array permits occupancy state to be determined by a AOS classification algorithm and method using only or US echo range data, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of the system, improving speed and simplifying calibration.

Abstract: A parking brake system (10) for a vehicle. The control system (10) includes solenoid valve (30) which controls communicating of pressurized fluid from an inlet port (32) to the actuator assembly (12) of a drum brake and from the actuator assembly (12) to a reservoir (41). Solenoid valve (30) has a coil (50) consisting of a first circuit (52) and a second circuit (54). In response to an operator activating a parking brake switch (80) and after signals corresponding to the operational condition of the vehicle are evaluated by an electronic control unit (100) current may directly flow in the first circuit (52) from a battery (200) to the solenoid valve (30) and may flow in a second circuit (54) after the closure of an ignition switch (201).

Abstract: A boot-seal assembly (38) for sealing an actuation chamber (36) defined by a piston (34) being located in a bore (32) of a caliper (16) of a disc brake (10). The bore (32) has a first diameter (32a) separated from a second diameter (32b) by an annular shoulder (33), a step (37) adjacent the annular shoulder (33) and an annular groove (35) adjacent the step (37). The boot-seal assembly (38) include a square seal (50) and a boot (52), each of which surround the piston (34). The boot (52) has a molded cylindrical rubber body (54) with a metal insert (64). The metal insert (64) creates a radial outward projection (60) that extends from a first end (56) of the boot (52) and a radial inward lip (62) that extends from a second end (58) of the boot (52). The piston (34) is inserted in bore (32) and an initial force is applied to the second end (58) of the cylindrical body (54) to bring the first end (56) into contact with the seal (50) and position the seal (50) on the step (37).

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure damper element is manufactured by shaping a stainless steel tube; flattened each end of the tube; and sealing a gas within the tube. Wire retaining devices may also be attached to the ends of the damper in order to support the device within a fuel rail tube in a fuel system.

Abstract: A centrifugal impeller with high blade camber exhibits relatively high non-dimensional pressure and flow performance while maintaining a high operating efficiency. This invention suits itself towards applications where high operating efficiency is required in a relatively small package space or where low noise and vibration are required. The impeller blades are characterized by: a) a high positive camber at a radially inward region of the blade, for example, a maximum camber value of at least 7% of the blade chord, which occurs at x/C<0.4; and b) a large trailing edge angle, for example, a trailing edge that forms an angle of at least 70 degrees with the impeller tangent. The ratio of blade chord to impeller diameter is at least 0.15.

Abstract: A master cylinder (12) for use in a brake system (10). The master cylinder (12) has a housing (22) with a first (42) and second (44) pistons located in a bore (20) by first (46) and second (48) resilient members to define first (50) and second (52) chambers therein. The first (50) and second (52) chambers are respectively connected to a reservoir (32) to receive fluid and maintain a desired fluid level in the brake system (10) and to front (24,24′) and rear (26,26′) wheel brakes to supply pressurized fluid to effect a brake application. Fluid received from the reservoir (32) by [to] the second chamber (52) is controlled by a center port compensation valve (148). The center port compensation valve (148) has a head (126′) connected to a linkage member (98′) that joins a first retainer (94′) with a second retainer (96′) to cage the second resilient member (48).

Abstract: A motor is disclosed that has the capability of detecting the rotary motion of the motor and to generate electrical signals that are indicative of the speed of operation of the motor. The motor has a magnet that is embedded within the molded resin of the commutator or other parts of an armature and a Hall effect sensor is positioned in close proximity to the rotating magnet to thereby provide an electrical signal that is proportional to the rotating speed of the motor.

Abstract: A housing for a brake booster (100) having a first shell (10) joined to a second shell (30) by deforming a first peripheral surface on a flange (24) of the first shell (10) with respect to a second peripheral surface, (204) on the second shell (30) toward an axial center of the second shell (30). The deformation axially compresses a bead (26) on a diaphragm (28) located between the first (10) and second (30) shells to seal an interior of the housing from the surrounding environment. The housing is characterized by the first peripheral surface having a flange (24) that extends from a shoulder (18) to an opened end (16) thereof that receives the second shell (30). The flange (24) has a plurality of slits (36,36′, . . . 36n) that axially extend from the opened end (16) toward the shoulder (18) and a plurality of slots (38,38′, . . . 38n) located in a radial plane perpendicular to the opened end (16). The plurality of slots (38,38′, . . .

Abstract: A hydraulic accumulator assembly for a hydraulic brake system. The accumulator assembly includes a pump housing having therein at least one accumulator bore. The accumulator bore has an axis and an inner wall. A piston is movable within the accumulator bore and divides the accumulator bore into an accumulator chamber, which is communicable with the hydraulic brake system, and a spring chamber. There is a spring in the spring chamber for biasing the piston in the direction of the accumulator chamber. A passageway in the pump housing is closely spaced from the inner wall so as to form a relatively thin wall thickness between the passageway and the inner wall. A vent bore is punched in the inner wall and communicates between the spring chamber and the passageway. The vent bore is punched in a direction away from the axis.

Abstract: A brake system for (10) a vehicle having a brake booster (14a) with an output put rod (152a) for providing a primary piston (310) in a master cylinder (12a) with an input force to pressurize fluid which is supplied to wheel brakes (10a) of a vehicle to effect a brake application in response to an operator input force. The master cylinder (12a) has a first housing (202a) with a bore (202a) therein for retaining the primary piston (310) in a first pressure chamber (212a). The bore (202a) has a first compensation passage (206a) connected to a fluid supply (204a) and an outlet port (218) connected to the wheel brakes (10a). The primary piston (310) has a first position of rest whereby the first pressure chamber (212a) is connected to a fluid supply (204a) through the first compensation passage (206a). The brake booster (14a) has a second housing (102,104) with an interior separated by a movable wall (122) into a front chamber (108) and a rear chamber (110).

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly including a body portion, a valve seat fixed relative to the body portion, a valve member movable relative to the valve seat, an outer layer substantially surrounding the body portion, and a damping material between the body portion and the outer layer, the damping material cooperating with the outer layer to dampen noise and vibration produced during operation of the fuel injector. Preferably, the fuel injector also includes an electrical connector mounted on the body portion, and the damping material is adjacent the electrical connector. In the preferred embodiment, the damping material is a viscoelastic material.

Abstract: A spring clip located in a rail of an anchor of a disc brake to hold a carrier for a friction pad and provide a surface on which a projection on the carrier slides during movement of a the carrier toward a rotor by an input force to effect a brake application. The spring clip is characterized by a base having a surface thereon that substantially matches and covers the rail. A tab that extends from the base engages the anchor to fix the position of the base in the rail with respect to the rotor. An arm that extends inward from the base in plane perpendicular to the base has a lip on the end thereof that extends in a plane parallel with the rail. The projection on the carrier engages the arm whenever wear reduces a thickness of the friction pad to a predetermined thickness such that the projection thereafter engages the arm to bring the lip into engagement with the rotor whenever the first friction pad engages the rotor during a brake application.

Abstract: A replacement kit for replacing an electrical device coupled to a vehicle via a plurality of vehicle lead wires. The replacement kit includes a replacement electrical device, a plurality of lead wires extending from the replacement electrical device, and a housing assembly for protecting a spliced connection formed with the lead wires to create an electrical connection between the electrical device and the vehicle. The housing assembly includes a base having a plurality of individually isolated bores extending therethrough. Each bore is capable of housing a spliced connection of a respective vehicle lead wire and a respective replacement electrical device lead wire, and each bore has therein a plurality of seal rings to form a substantially water-tight seal around the associated portion of the spliced connection. The housing assembly also includes a cap secured to the base. Preferably, the electrical device and the replacement electrical device are oxygen sensors.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly (10) having first (12) and second (14) brake shoes retained on a backing plate (16). Each of the first (12) and second (14) brake shoes have an end (22,24) aligned on a hydraulic actuator assembly (26) and an end (28,30) aligned on an anchor block (40). An adjustable strut mechanism (32) has a extendable shaft (33) that includes a first end member (34) that engages the first end (22) of said first brake shoe (12), a second end member (36) that engages the first end (24) of the second brake shoe (14) and a rotatable stem (35). A first resilient member (150) urges the first (12) and second (14) brake shoes toward the hydraulic actuator assembly (26) and second resilient member (48) urges the first (12) and second (14) brake shoes toward the anchor block (40). The length of the extendable shaft (33) is adjusted by ratcheting a pawl (65) rotating the stem (35) to establish a predetermined running clearance between the first (42) and second (44) friction members and drum (46).

Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine, the fuel system including a fuel tank, a fuel pump communicating with the fuel tank, a fuel manifold downstream of the fuel pump, and a return line downstream of the fuel pump, the return line communicating with the fuel tank. The fuel system also includes a self-relieving fuel filter assembly having a filter member. The self-relieving fuel filter assembly communicates with the return line and is variable between a first state, wherein fuel passes through the return line and the filter member before returning to the fuel tank, and a second state, wherein fuel passes through the return line without passing through the filter member before returning to the fuel tank. The self-relieving fuel filter assembly therefore permits the continuous passage of fuel through the return line even when the filter member becomes plugged.

Abstract: A fuel system including first and second tank portions, first and second fuel pumps in the first and second tank portions, respectively, a first crossover fuel line for transferring fuel from the second tank portion to the first tank portion, and a second crossover fuel line for transferring fuel from the first tank portion to the second tank portion. In one aspect of the invention the first and second tank portions define a bifurcated tank and the first and second crossover fuel lines are housed completely within the bifurcated tank. In another aspect of the invention, the first and second crossover fuel lines extend partially outside the bifurcated tank.