Abstract: An engine starter including a motor, an electromagnetic switch, an auxiliary switch, a housing, and a mounting member for the auxiliary switch. The mounting member is disposed at the housing between the housing and the motor and electromagnetic switch. The mounting member includes a flange including a tab to mount the auxiliary switch.

Abstract: The present invention in one embodiment is an engine cooling fan module including a motor having a horizontally extending motor shaft, at least one plastic brush guide defining a guide axis aligned with the motor shaft, the at least one plastic brush guide including a first side wall portion extending along the guide axis, a second side wall portion generally opposite the first side wall portion, and a top portion extending between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion, the second side wall portion defining a radial slot opened at an inner portion of the plastic brush guide, a brush slidingly positioned within the plastic brush guide, and a shunt electrically coupled to the brush and extending through the radial slot.

Abstract: An axial fan assembly includes a hub, a plurality of connection structures, and a plurality of isolated members. The hub is rotatable about an axis of rotation and includes a radially extending face and a cylindrical portion extending axially from the face. The face includes a radially inner face portion and a radially outer face portion. The plurality of connection structures extends radially inwardly from the radially outer face portion and extends radially outward from the radially inner face portion. The plurality of isolated members extends radially outwardly from the radially inner face portion and is isolated from the plurality of connection structures and from the radially outer face portion by a plurality of slots.

Abstract: An acoustic dampening panel comprising: (a) a first layer of expanded polypropylene; (b) a solid layer having a surface weight between 2.4 kilograms per meter squared and 25 kilograms per meter squared; and, (c) a second layer of expanded polypropylene, where the first and second layers of expanded polypropylene sandwich the solid layer therebetween. The acoustic dampening panel may further comprise a fourth layer comprising a metal skin, where the solid layer and the metal skin sandwich the second layer therebetween.

Abstract: A controller for indicating whether a previously-detected, acceleration-sensor malfunction no longer exists. The controller includes an electronic memory and an electronic processing unit connected to the electronic memory. The electronic processing module includes a malfunction monitoring module, a failure handling module, and a signal checking module. The signal checking module performs a signal check after the malfunction monitoring module generates the fault signal. The signal check includes executing a signal check function with a lateral acceleration signal. Also disclosed is a vehicle including the controller, and a method executed by the controller.

Abstract: An electrical power supply arrangement includes a solar power device that converts sunlight into DC electrical power. A DC load runs on the DC current electrical power. The DC load may be controlled or adjusted to consume a maximum amount of the electrical output of the solar power device. A DC-to-AC converter converts the DC electrical power into AC electrical power. A controller enables the DC-to-AC converter to receive a portion of the DC current electrical power from the solar power device only if all of the DC current electrical power cannot be consumed by the DC load.

Abstract: An electrical power supply arrangement includes a solar power device that converts sunlight into DC electrical power. A DC load runs on the DC current electrical power. The DC load may be controlled or adjusted to consume a maximum amount of the electrical output of the solar power device. A DC-to-AC converter converts the DC electrical power into AC electrical power. A controller enables the DC-to-AC converter to receive a portion of the DC current electrical power from the solar power device only if all of the DC current electrical power cannot be consumed by the DC load.

Abstract: An airflow assembly includes a fan, a shroud, a plurality of ribs, and a fan support. The fan has a number of fan blades. The shroud includes (i) a plenum defining a plenum opening located adjacent to the number of fan blades, and (ii) a barrel extending from the plenum so as to surround the plenum opening. The plenum further defines at least one airflow opening spaced apart from the plenum opening. Each of the plurality of ribs extends inwardly from the barrel. The fan support is attached to the plurality of ribs and is configured to support the fan. The at least one airflow opening is not an attachment structure or a guiding structure, is not configured to receive a fastening member, and does not function as a water drain.

Abstract: An airflow assembly, includes a plenum, a barrel, a fan support, a fan assembly, and a plurality of ribs. The plenum includes an opening structure defining a plenum opening. The barrel extends in a downstream direction from the opening structure, and defines a barrel space and a downstream edge. The fan support is at least partially positioned within the barrel space. The fan assembly is supported by the fan support and includes (i) a motor and (ii) a blade assembly configured to rotate about an axis. Each of the ribs extends between (i) the opening structure or the barrel and (ii) the fan support. The downstream direction is parallel to the axis. An upstream direction is opposite of the downstream direction and parallel to the axis. A plane intersects the axis and is perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine. The method including monitoring a pressure in a combustion chamber of the engine during a compression stroke, determining whether a fuel composition has changed from a first composition to a second composition based at least in part on the monitored pressure, and triggering a fuel composition adaptation in response to a determination that the fuel composition has changed.

Abstract: A brake system includes a vacuum booster, a valve positioned within the vacuum booster, the valve including a valve member connected to a rod, the rod configured to move in a linear direction, an air filter positioned within the vacuum booster, and a return spring positioned within the vacuum booster. The return spring includes a first end and a second end with a plurality of coils extending between the first end and the second end. The first end includes a first coil and a second coil positioned radially outward from the first coil, and the first coil is configured to contact the rod and the second coil is configured to support the filter.

Abstract: A brake booster includes a housing, a retention cuff, and a spring. The housing defines a passage to an interior chamber. The retention cuff is positioned in the interior chamber about the passage. The spring engages the retention cuff in the interior chamber. The master cylinder arrangement includes a tube member and a brake fluid reservoir. The tube member includes a first end and a second end. The tube member extends through the passage and the retention cuff such that the first end of the tube member is exposed to the interior chamber of the brake booster. The brake fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the tube member.

Abstract: A braking system with an electric hydraulic booster includes a booster chamber, a booster piston activating chamber, a booster piston located between the booster chamber and the booster activating chamber, and a solenoid valve operably connected to a high pressure source, the booster chamber, and the booster piston activating chamber, the solenoid movable between (i) a first position whereat the booster chamber and the booster piston activating chamber are in fluid communication and fluidly isolated from the high pressure source, (ii) a second position whereat the booster chamber and the booster piston activating chamber are fluidly isolated from each other and from the high pressure source, and (iii) a third position whereat the booster piston activating chamber and the high pressure source are in fluid communication and fluidly isolated from the booster chamber.

Abstract: A braking system includes an emulator cylinder, an emulator actuator piston within the emulator cylinder, an emulator actuator chamber within the emulator cylinder defined in part by the emulator actuator piston, a pedal feel simulator including an input port in fluid communication with the emulator actuator chamber and an output port, a selector piston movable within the emulator cylinder between a first position and a second position, and a poppet valve operably connected to the emulator actuator piston, the poppet valve movable by the emulator actuator piston between a deactivated position and an actuated position and configured such that (i) when the selector piston is in the first position and the poppet valve is in the actuated position, the poppet valve is closed and the emulator actuator chamber is not in fluid communication with the reservoir through the poppet valve, and (ii) when the selector piston is in the second position and the poppet valve is in the actuated position, the poppet valve is open

Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster system. The hydraulic brake booster system includes a primary piston axially moveable within a bore of a cylinder, a booster chamber located rearwardly of the primary piston within the bore, an input rod extending within the booster chamber, a booster vent path in selective fluid communication with the booster chamber, and a seal member located between the forward face and the primary piston, the seal member in a fixed relationship with the input rod and configured to (i) seal the booster vent path from the booster chamber when the input rod is in a first position, and (ii) not seal the booster vent path from the booster chamber when the input rod is moved rearwardly within the booster chamber to a second position.

Abstract: An in-line brake system with a hydraulic booster includes a master cylinder defining a cylinder bore, a master cylinder piston located within the cylinder bore, a transfer piston located within the cylinder bore rearwardly of the master cylinder piston, a transfer piston actuator with a first seat, a sealing member aligned with the first seat, a sealing member spring operably connected to the sealing member and the transfer piston, an input rod aligned with the first seat, a return spring operably connected to the input rod and the transfer piston actuator, a sleeve actuator located within the cylinder bore rearwardly of the master cylinder, and a sleeve spring configured to bias the sleeve actuator away from the master cylinder piston, wherein the sleeve actuator is configured to bias the transfer piston toward the master cylinder piston in response to an applied boost pressure.

Abstract: A fast fill braking system includes a master cylinder, a primary pressure chamber having a first chamber portion located forwardly of a second chamber portion, the first chamber portion having a diameter larger than a diameter of the second chamber portion, and a primary piston including a first piston portion positioned within the primary pressure chamber and a second piston portion extending out of the primary pressure chamber, the first piston portion having a diameter (i) larger than a diameter of the second piston portion, and (ii) complementary to the diameter of the second chamber portion.

Abstract: A fast-fill braking system in one embodiment includes a master cylinder, a first chamber within the master cylinder, a second chamber within the master cylinder located forward of the first chamber, a fast-fill piston within the first chamber, a primary piston within the first chamber and movable with respect to the fast-fill piston, and a secondary piston within the second chamber.

Abstract: A braking system includes a brake booster with a power piston assembly structure defining a guide bore which possesses an open end, the guide bore defining a bore axis. A pivot structure is positioned in the guide bore and including (i) a body having an interior surface that defines a cavity, and (ii) a plurality of extensions protruding inwardly from the interior surface. A pedal rod includes (i) a ball-shaped distal end portion is retained in the cavity by the plurality of extension members, and (ii) a shaft extending from the ball-shaped distal end portion. A retainer is secured to the power piston assembly structure so as to prevent advancement of the pivot structure through the open end of the power piston assembly structure. The retainer defines a frusto-conical passageway through which the shaft extends enabling the shaft to pivot.

Abstract: A master cylinder includes a cylinder bore, a first piston positioned within the cylinder bore, a second piston positioned within the bore and located forwardly of the first piston, a first pressure chamber within the cylinder bore and defined in part by a rear portion of the second piston and a forward portion of the first piston, a first pressure chamber seal extending radially outwardly from the rear portion of the second piston, a first reservoir inlet configured to provide fluid communication between a reservoir and the cylinder bore at a location forwardly of the first pressure chamber seal, and a first groove extending axially along the cylinder bore and positioned such that (i) when the second piston is in a released position, the first groove is located directly outwardly of the first pressure chamber seal and the reservoir is in fluid communication with the first pressure chamber through the first groove, and (ii) when the second piston is in an activated position, the first pressure chamber seal is