Abstract: A magnetically biased velocity change sensor that is designed for mass-production fabrication and ensuing usage in supplemental inflatable restraint systems of automotive vehicles. The sensor is of the type having a metal sphere that is magnetically biased to one axial end of a tube. When the sensor is subjected to a velocity change of suitable magnitude and duration, the sphere travels to the opposite end of the tube to actuate a switch. Damping of the sphere travel is accomplished by sizing the tube to be of just slightly larger inside diameter than the diameter of the sphere. The invention enhances the manufacturability of the sensor by making dimensioning requirements for the tube and sphere less strict and by enabling different models of sensors to be fabricated from commonly dimensioned tubes and spheres. The invention involves manufacturing the sphere as a sintered iron mass and using a mixture of gases within the tube.

Abstract: A filter assembly comprising: first and second compartments, the first compartment comprising an exit tube, the second compartment comprising an air inlet the exit tube comprises a plurality of radial inwardly extending stand-offs; an air flow sensor for sensing the mass of air exiting the exit tube, including an exit conduit adapted to be received upon and supported by the stand-offs; the exit conduit and exit tube cooperating to form a tuner inlet passage, the air flow sensor further including an entrance conduit, positioned upstream of the exit conduit; an insert comprising tapered walls including first and second ends, the first end defining an opening conformal to a first open end of the first housing member and adapted to be joined therewith, the second end defining a hollow sleeve of substantially the same size as the entrance conduit and adapted to sealingly mate therewith; thereby enclosing, in cooperation with the first compartment a tuner volume communicated with the tuner inlet passage; an air fil

Abstract: The evaporative emission control system for an internal combustion engine purges the vapor collection canister to the throttle body through both a purge regulator controlled by the engine ECU and a variable orifice valve that is mechanically operated by the throttle mechanism. A throttle position sensor that supplies a throttle position signal to the ECU can be read by the ECU as also representing the degree of restriction being imposed by the variable orifice on the flow of vapor from the canister to the throttle body and the ECU can take this into account when setting the purge regulator. A novel construction for the purge regulator, particularly the connection between the actuator and the valve, precludes the transmission of any significant bending moment from the movable wall of the actuator to the valve. The head of the valve is designed to also contribute to improved operation.

Abstract: Various embodiments of sensors are disclosed which contain an inertial mass that is magnetically biased to an initial position. In response to a certain deceleration, the mass is caused to swing about an axis and operate a switch. In some embodiments, the switch is one that is held open by the inertial mass' presence in its initial position and closes when the inertial mass swings away from its initial position, while in other embodiments it is one whose contacts are bridged by a conductive portion of the inertial mass only after the inertial mass has been displaced from its initial position, while in still other embodiments it is a reed switch that is magnetically operated. Motion of the inertial mass can be undampened or dampened. If dampening is desired, it can be accomplished either pneumatically or electromagnetically.

Abstract: A plenum is surrounded by runners that spiral around the plenum sidewall to the entrances to the engine cylinders. The circumferential extent of each runner exceeds 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis of the plenum. Portions of the runners share common wall portions with portions of the plenum.

Abstract: The evaporative emission control system for an internal combustion engine purges the vapor collection canister to the throttle body through both a purge regulator controlled by the engine ECU and a variable orifice valve that is mechanically operated by the throttle mechanism. A throttle position sensor that supplies a throttle position signal to the ECU can be read by the ECU as also representing the degree of restriction being imposed by the variable orifice on the flow of vapor from the canister to the throttle body and the ECU can take this into account when setting the purge regulator.

Abstract: A valve assembly of novel configuration is associated with the main air induction passage of a fuel-injected, spark-ignited, automotive internal combustion engine for the purpose of regulating the idle air flow. The valve assembly has an inlet connected upstream of the throttle. A pintle controls the restriction that the valve assembly imposes on the idle air flow. The valve assembly is controlled by the engine computer selectively energizing a solenoid on the assembly. The solenoid armature controls flow through another flow path of the valve assembly that parallels the idle air flow path. A movable internal wall divides the valve assembly's body into two variable volume chambers. One chamber forms part of the idle air bypass while the other forms part of the parallel flow path. The one chamber is essentially at manifold vacuum while the other is regulated by a bleed valve and two orifices in the parallel flow path. Positioning of the movable wall positions the pintle.

Abstract: Ram air ventilation of the engine bay of an automotive vehicle is accomplished by providing ventilating openings in a transverse structural cross-member that bridges the front of the engine bay, and by collecting hot effluent from the radiator and condenser and directing same out of the engine bay.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon fuel vapors that are collected in a canister are periodically purged to the intake manifold through a purge valve that comprises a variable orifice valve portion and a flow regulator valve portion in series with each other. The variable orifice portion sets an orifice in inverse proportion to manifold vacuum. The flow regulator portion controls the flow in accordance with a signal from the engine E.C.U.

Abstract: An in-line noise attenuation device for insertion into a gas induction system, such as the air induction system of an automotive vehicle internal combustion engine. The device comprises two plastic parts snap-fitted together. One part is an outer tube, and the other part, an insert disposed within the first part. The insert comprises a hollow ogival-shaped section that is axially coextensive with a frusto-conically shaped section of the outer tube to form an annular flow path of substantially constant cross section for the inducted air. The flow then passes through apertures in the insert to enter a venturi section. The flow continues through the venturi section and then exits the device. The venturi section serves to choke noise that propagates from the engine in the direction opposite the direction of airflow. The noise is reflected back to the engine by the hollow interior of the ogival-shaped section which is open toward the venturi section.

Abstract: The device has an entrance and an exit with two low-restriction venturi sections placed in parallel between the entrance and exit. The entering gas flow is separated into two parts, one to pass through one venturi section and the other to pass through the other venturi section. The two parts reunite as they leave the exit. The venturi sections are substantially identical and each contains at least one venturi. The two sections are axially offset from each other by a distance that is equal to one-quarter of the wavelength of the frequency of a principal noise component so that that particular noise frequency is phase shifted 180 degrees by one venturi section relative to the other with resulting cancellation and significant noise attenuation. Usage in an air induction system of an internal combustion engine for attenuating noise from the engine is illustrated. The device is capable of functioning irrespective of the direction of noise in relation to the direction of gas flow.

Abstract: A clutch fan has a new and unique blade design that results in quieter and more efficient operation. The blade design involves the leading edge having inner, intermediate, and outer regions such that the intermediate region is of increasing skew in the direction of rotation and the outer region is of decreasing skew. The pitch ratio increases as a function of increasing blade radius. Along the outer region, the blade increases in pitch on a defined curvature as a function of blade radius and angle to form a tip curl.

Abstract: An axial flow ring fan has improved efficiency and reduced noise by making the leading edge of each blade a generally sinusoidal shape and projecting this geometry throughout the blade by imparting fall off to each blade.

Abstract: An inertia switch for a supplemental inflatable restraint system. The switch comprises a casing that is divided into two chambers by an axially movable diaphragm. The diaphragm carries an electrical contact on one face and an inertial mass on the other. A pair of terminals are disposed in the path of travel of the electrical contact so that when the switch is subjected to axial deceleration force the contact is urged toward the terminals. Actual contact is made when the deceleration force equals or exceeds a predetermined deceleration characteristic. The deceleration characteristic is a function not only of the diaphragm, the electrical contact, and the mass, but also of a control orifice located in an orifice that communicates the two chambers with each other. The chambers are constructed such that air is forced from one chamber into another through the control orifice when deceleration occurs and this imparts a dampening to the motion of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A canister purge solenoid valve is constructed and arranged to provide reduced operating noise and decreased armature wear as the armature reciprocates within a bore in response to solenoid energization and de-energization. The armature contains an elastomeric valve head that is biased normally closed against the valve seat. When the solenoid assembly is energized, the armature is retracted. The armature's momentum is initially absorbed by the elastomeric valve head making contact with the solenoid assembly at one end of the bore. Final absorption of the armature's momentum is shared by continuing contact of the valve head with the solenoid assembly and by an elastomeric limit stop that is disposed between the armature and the stator. In this way the elastomeric limit stop is not required to absorb the full momentum of the retracting armature.

Abstract: An axial flow ring fan has improved efficiency and reduced noise by making the leading edge of each blade a generally sinusoidal shape.

Abstract: A heater control valve comprising: a valve body defining a chamber and a bypass passage extending therefrom. A first conduit in fluid communication with the bypass passage for defining a first inlet port and a first exit port adapted to communicate coolant to an external device. A flexible divertor mounted in the bypass passage and extending into the first conduit for diverting fluid into the bypass passage as a function of flow rate. A second conduit, in communication with the chamber defining a second inlet adapted to receive flow from the external device and a second outlet.

Abstract: A heater control valve comprising: a valve body defining a chamber and a bypass passage extending therefrom. A first conduit in fluid communication with the bypass passage for defining a first inlet port and a first exit port adapted to communicate coolant to an external device. A second conduit, in communication with the chamber defining a second inlet adapted to receive flow from the external device and a second outlet. The valve body further including a first seating surface disposed about an upstream end of the bypass passage and a second seating surface disposed about the second inlet, and a bypass valve, rotatable from a first position in sealing engagement with the first seating surface to a second position in sealing engagement with the second seating surface, and an actuator, for rotating the bypass valve from the first position to the second position in response to control signals.

Abstract: A flow rate valve comprising a non-magnetic housing comprising a central cavity and a pressure chamber, first and second ports extending into the pressure chamber, the interior end of the first port forming a valve seat. A bobbin is received within the cavity including a coil and a central blind bore enclosed at one end. The bobbin and housing including opposingly situated circumferential grooves. An armature assembly comprising a cylindrical armature within the bore, and a valve element movable with the armature between first and second positions, for opening and closing the valve seat and a motion limiter for limiting armature motion to prevent same from impacting the bottom of the bore in response to a magnetic field generated by the coil.

Abstract: A pressure regulating valve comprising:a magnetic circuit comprising a magnetic central portion having a fluid passage, adapted to receive fluid at a first pressure level;an annular, upraised magnetic valve seat coaxial with the central portion and disposed at and about one end of the central portion, the one end and valve seat disposed within a pressure chamber, the magnetic circuit further including a movable valve element, acted upon by the magnetic flux flowing through the magnetic circuit, to regulate the pressure within the pressure chamber corresponding with an input electrical signal, including a disk comprising, in at least a portion thereof through which the magnetic flux flows, a non-magnetic material of a given thickness facing the valve seat and a magnetic material secured to the non-magnetic material on a dimension thereof opposite the valve seat;a spring for biasing the disk toward the valve seat;an output port for communicating the pressure chamber to a pressure responsive device;an input port