Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system which utilizes a flexible drive arm for withstanding bending loads applied to a wiper. The drive arm may be made of a pull-molded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity and a relatively high elongation factor. The flexible arm twists in the presence a bending load and undergoes rapidly progressing elastic buckling when the bending load exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling sinusoidal currents in inductive loads during zero-crossing to reduce distortion. The apparatus and method utilizes first and second PWM signals during a single PWM cycle to apply opposite voltage signals to obtain a net desired voltage across the inductive load. The voltage applied to the load is compared with a threshold and, when the applied voltage is greater than the threshold, normal PWM signals are applied to the load, and when the applied voltage is less than the threshold, an adjusted voltage formed of first and second PWM signals is applied to the load.

Abstract: A unitary vehicle liftgate component module carries a plurality of pre-mounted vehicle liftgate components for one-step mounting on the liftgate when the module is attached to the liftgate. At least two of a liftgate wiper motor, a liftgate window latch, and liftgate window defrost terminal connectors are carried on the module or interact with portions carried on the module. In one aspect, the liftgate window latch striker and an optional electrical contact are carried on a support which is laterally adjustable with respect to a base fixed to the liftgate window for automatic centering of the striker and the optional contact as the liftgate window is moved to a closed position with respect to an opening in the liftgate.

Abstract: A support system for a motor within a fan shroud. Struts extending from the shroud to the motor support the motor. The struts are arranged in groups, which are spaced from adjacent groups, and each group contains a non-radial strut.

Abstract: A control system for an electric motor. Field Oriented Control, FOC, uses a digital control system, and attempts to maintain the rotating stator magnetic field ninety degrees ahead of the rotor field, in order to maximize torque. However, if a three-phase motor is used, which is very common, large amounts of computation are required, to convert from a three-phase coordinate system to an orthogonal coordinate system. The invention replaces the three-phase motor with a two-phase motor, which has been found to impose certain additional costs, but also provides benefits.

Abstract: A control for an electric motor in a vehicle. The control ascertains whether an obstacle is interfering with rotation of the motor. The control establishes a baseline speed, representing normal free running speed of the motor. This baseline speed will be different, in different operating environments. Then the control determines whether measured motor speed drops below the baseline speed by a predetermined amount. If so, then the motor is shut down, or reversed.

Abstract: An energy conversion machine and a method of manufacturing an energy conversion machine comprising a composite winding. The composite winding comprises two separate windings having two different wire gauges. One winding is primarily selected to obtain a desired stall torque or a desired short circuit current, while the other winding is primarily selected to obtain a desired no-load speed or open circuit voltage. A machine incorporating a composite winding can be smaller and lower cost than a conventional machine designed to the same parameters.

Abstract: A windshield wiper arm assembly for wiping a windshield of a motor vehicle can include a wiper linkage head having a bore formed therein for being connected to a rotatable wiper drive shaft. A wiper arm can be coupled to the wiper linkage head through a pivot pin allowing pivoting movement of the wiper arm with respect to the wiper linkage head between a stable windshield engaged position and a stable windshield disengage position. A beam compression spring can bias the wiper arm with respect to the wiper linkage head between the stable windshield engaged position and the stable windshield disengage position. A process for fabricating a beam compression spring for a windshield wiper arm can include the steps of cross-weaving an elongate tri-axial glass fiber sock, bathing the elongate glass woven sock in a thermoset resin, and curing the bathed cross-woven sock in a heated pultrusion die to form a pultruded elongate strip.

Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member reaches a predetermined load as a result of a fatigue condition, such as snow or ice build up on the windshield. In one embodiment, the predetermined load is defined as: PCR=KE=1.

Abstract: A digital wake-up signal is generated from an analog switch output by providing an interruption in a conductive ground or switch trace on a printed circuit board in which the ground trace and multiple conductive switch traces are bridged by a moveable contactor responsive to movement of an actuator. A resistor network is coupled to the switch traces to generate distinct analog voltage outputs when each switch trace is connected to the ground trace by the contactor. Interruption of the switch trace output and/or the ground trace changes the state of the output which defines a wake-up command.

Abstract: A cooling fan having a circumferential ring. In ordinary fans of this type, deformation of fan blades causes the ring to buckle inward at locations between the blades. In one form of the invention, mass is added to the ring between the blades to counteract the buckling.

Abstract: A control system for an electric motor, of the type used to deliver mechanical power to a power-steering system in a vehicle. In one form of the invention, at high motor speeds, an inverter is requested to deliver a pseudo-sinusoidal voltage having peak-to-peak value which a vehicle battery cannot attain. Consequently, the pseudo-sinusoidal voltage delivered to the motor is clipped at some value: the tops, and bottoms, of the pseudo-sinusoid peaks are chopped off. This clipping brings current in the phases closed to being in-phase with the voltage.

Abstract: A control system for an electric motor used to provide mechanical power to a power steering system in a vehicle. The motor is of the two-phase type with an independent winding for each phase, or of the three-phase type with two independent stator windings. Two inverters are provided, one for each winding. Each inverter provides AC current to run the motor. If a fault is detected in an inverter or its stator winding, current is terminated to that inverter, and the motor is run using the other winding. In addition, if the vehicle battery is installed with incorrect polarity, components within the inverters can be destroyed. The invention detects the incorrect polarity, and blocks current to the inverters.

Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent, greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member is in excess of the predetermined load.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling sinusoidal currents in inductive loads during zero-crossing to reduce distortion. The apparatus and method utilizes first and second PWM signals during a single PWM cycle to apply opposite voltage signals to obtain a net desired voltage across the inductive load. The voltage applied to the load is compared with a threshold and, when the applied voltage is greater than the threshold, normal PWM signals are applied to the load, and when the applied voltage is less than the threshold, an adjusted voltage formed of first and second PWM signals is applied to the load.

Abstract: A control system for a brushless DC motor, preferably used in a power steering system in a vehicle. Presently delivered torque is computed without measuring currents in the motor. A demanded torque signal is received, and a torque error signal is produced. The torque error signal is modified by an inertial torque component, if the motor is accelerating. In response to the modified error signal, the control system first attempts to increase motor torque by increasing motor voltage, if that is possible, without increasing magnetic field which is parallel with the magnetic field of the rotor. If that is not possible, then motor voltage is held fixed, and the magnetic field just mentioned is increased.

Abstract: An electric motor system and method are shown having a circuit board arranged in a plane that lies in a predetermined angle relative to an axis to an armature of the electric motor. In one embodiment the predetermined angle is an acute angle and the plane is not perpendicular to an axis of an armature of the motor 10. Brushes are located remotely from the board.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wiper blade for a windshield wiper system of motor vehicles with a yoke system for guiding an elongate wiper strip including a lip mounted on a carrier via a web is disclosed. The wiper blade and method of manufacturing the wiper blade includes the wiper strip installed with respect to the yoke system with the carrier extending through at least one claw of the yoke system. Each claw has opposing bendable sidewalls defining a generally U-shaped channel therebetween and located initially in an opened position with respect to one another during installation of the wiper strip.

Abstract: A wiper arm window latch system and method includes an end of a wiper arm which is mounted on a window and which is received in a drive coupler coupled to a drive motor mounted on a door. The drive coupler permits the wiper arm to be drivingly coupled to a wiper motor. The drive coupler and end of the wiper arm also cooperate to lock the wiper arm to the drive coupler, thereby causing the window of the vehicle to be locked in a closed position, such as against the door. This system and method is particularly suited for use in a vehicle having a rear window which is pivotable between an open position and a closed position and where a rear window wiper is desired or required.

Abstract: A fluid heater apparatus supplies heat to wash fluid via a flow path in a thermally conductive body. A heat source is disposed in the thermally conductive body for imparting heat to the body. Fluid flowing through the thermally conductive body in a flow path enveloping the heat source to absorb heat from the body. A seal member and a metal plate are fixed to one surface of the thermal body. A high thermally conductive pad is disposed between a printed circuit board carrying a control with heat generating switch elements. The pad conducts heat generated by control switching elements to the plate to reduce the temperature differential between the plate and the thermally conductive body to balance the temperature of the heater apparatus.