Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly for a motor vehicle includes a bracket for mounting the adjustable pedal assembly to the motor vehicle. A pivot link is pivotally mounted to the bracket. The pivot link has a first guide slot and a first pin. A pedal is pivotally secured to the pivot link and includes an arm. The arm has a second guide slot and a second pin. The second guide slot works in conjunction with the first pin whereas the first guide slot works in conjunction with the second guide pin. Together, these pairings define the relative movement between the pivot link and the pedal arm. A drive assembly extends between said first pin and said second pin. The drive assembly slides the pedal arm relative to the pivot link to extend and retract the pedal with respect to the operator.

Abstract: A mechanical clutch assembly is used to selectively disengage a motor from a cinching latch of a closure panel having a handle. The mechanical clutch assembly includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis, an axial opening and a peripheral opening. The mechanical clutch assembly also includes a shaft that extends through the housing and out the axial opening. The shaft extends along the longitudinal axis of the housing. A driven gear is rotatably secured to the shaft and axially positioned by the housing. The driven gear is operatively connected to the motor and is driven thereby. A pinion gear is secured to the shaft and selectively engages the driven gear. The mechanical clutch assembly also includes a clutch extending between the driven gear and the pinion gear allowing the pinion gear to disengage the driven gear allowing the motor to back drive when the liftgate handle is operated manually.

Abstract: A liftgate force control assembly (20) adjusts the force required to move a liftgate (12) that is pivotally secured to a motor vehicle (10) using a hinge (14). The liftgate force control assembly includes a track (42) that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A follower (46) is movably secured to the track. A strut (34, 36) has a movable end (26, 28) and a secured end (30, 32). The secured end (30, 32) is pivotally secured to the liftgate (12) and the movable end (26, 28) is pivotally secured to the follower (46). The strut (34, 36) defines a moment with respect to the hinge that secures the liftgate to the motor vehicle. A motor (50) is connected to the follower (46) to move the follower (46) along the track (42) changing the moment of the strut such that the force required to move the liftgate (12) changes as the moment changes.

Abstract: A window-regulating assembly selectively moves a window of a vehicle door between an open position and a closed position. The window-regulating assembly includes a rail that is fixedly secured to the vehicle door. The rail extends through a radius of curvature. A lift plate is slidably engaged with the rail. The lift plate is also secured to the window. The lift plate moves the window between the open and closed positions. A lead screw is secured to the rail. The lift plate travels along the lead screw to move the window between the open and closed positions. A drive motor is secured to lift plate. The drive motor receives electrical energy and converts the electrical energy into a selectively bidirectional rotational force to drive the lift plate over the lead screw. A pivot mount extends between the drive motor and the lift plate allowing the drive motor to move through the radius of curvature as the lift plate slides along the rail.

Abstract: A power liftgate assembly is disclosed for moving a liftgate between an open position and a closed position. The liftgate is secured to a motor vehicle having a roof. The power liftgate assembly includes an elongated bracket that is fixedly secured to the roof of the motor vehicle. The elongated bracket extends between first and second ends. A motor is fixedly secured to the elongated bracket. A slide operatively engages the motor. The slide moves along the elongated bracket. An articulated bracket is connected to the slide and moves with the slide. The articulated bracket includes a slot that extends therealong to provide lost motion between the articulated bracket and the slide. An arcuate bracket extends between the articulated bracket and the liftgate for receiving the motion of the articulated bracket and for moving the liftgate in response thereto.

Abstract: A modular fuel fuller system comprises a filler head, a connector, a filler pipe, a jumper hose and clamps. The jumper hose and clamps interconnect the filler pipe and a spud of a vehicle fuel tank. The filler pipe is a stainless steel filler pipe with a series of formed convolutions for increasing the flexibility of the filler pipe to allow easy installation and provide crash integrity to the fuel filler system within an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An automated closure assembly (20) is disclosed for a motor vehicle (10). A lateral linkage is connected to the drive mechanism (25) receiving the rotational force and translates the rotational force of the drive mechanism into a linear force to move the door between the open position and an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position. The automated closure assembly also includes a secondary linkage that is connected to both the lateral linkage and the drive mechanism. The secondary linkage translates the rotational force into a linear force to move the door between the intermediate position and the open position such that the door is able to move to its open position past the opening within which the lateral linkage extends.

Abstract: A power sliding assembly for moving a windowpane within a track within a window frame between an open position and a closed position. The power sliding assembly includes a motor fixedly secured to the window frame. The motor generates a rotational force. The power sliding assembly also includes a lead screw that is operatively connected to the motor to translate the rotational force to axial movement. In addition, the power sliding assembly includes a bracket secured to the lead screw and the windowpane. The bracket travels with the lead screw as the lead screw is driven axially along the track to move the windowpane between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A power liftgate assembly is disclosed for moving a liftgate between an open position and a closed position. The liftgate is secured to a motor vehicle having a roof. The power liftgate assembly includes an elongated bracket that is fixedly secured to the roof of the motor vehicle. The elongated bracket extends between first and second ends. A motor is fixedly secured to the elongated bracket. A slide operatively engages the motor. The slide moves along the elongated bracket. An articulated bracket is connected to the slide and moves with the slide. The articulated bracket includes a slot that extends therealong to provide lost motion between the articulated bracket and the slide. An arcuate bracket extends between the articulated bracket and the liftgate for receiving the motion of the articulated bracket and for moving the liftgate in response thereto.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly for a motor vehicle includes a bracket for mounting the adjustable pedal assembly to the motor vehicle. A pivot link is pivotally mounted to the bracket. The pivot link has a first guide slot and a first pin. A pedal is pivotally secured to the pivot link and includes an arm. The arm has a second guide slot and a second pin. The second guide slot works in conjunction with the first pin whereas the first guide slot works in conjunction with the second guide pin. Together, these pairings define the relative movement between the pivot link and the pedal arm. A drive assembly extends between said first pin and said second pin. The drive assembly slides the pedal arm relative to the pivot link to extend and retract the pedal with respect to the operator.

Abstract: A modular fuel fuller system comprises a filler head, a connector, a filler pipe, a jumper hose and clamps. The jumper hose and clamps interconnect the filler pipe and a spud of a vehicle fuel tank. The filler pipe is a stainless steel filler pipe with a series of formed convolutions for increasing the flexibility of the filler pipe to allow easy installation and provide crash integrity to the fuel filler system within an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An in-tank fuel pump reservoir assembly for drawing fuel from a fuel supply tank and discharging the fuel under pressure to an engine. The assembly includes a reservoir canister that partially defines a reservoir chamber and is mounted within a fuel tank. A reservoir inlet admits fluid into the reservoir chamber from the fuel tank. A reservoir outlet allows fuel to flow from the reservoir chamber to an engine through a fuel line. A reservoir filling device draws fuel into the reservoir chamber from the fuel supply tank through the reservoir inlet. A fuel pump assembly disposed within the canister draws fuel from the reservoir chamber and discharges at least a portion of that fuel to the engine through the reservoir outlet. A modular fuel delivery pod includes the fuel pump assembly, the reservoir filling device, and the inlet check valve. The pod connects to the canister to cooperatively define the reservoir chamber.

Abstract: A high flow rate fuel vapor vent valve assembly has a delayed fall away fill level control float responsive to the level of fuel in the fuel tank and constructed to control the closing of an outlet passage through which fuel vapors are vented from the fuel tank when a desired maximum fuel level is reached within the fuel tank during refueling of the tank. The fill level float is constructed to sink after refueling of the fuel tank is completed, and preferably several minutes thereafter, to control the opening of the outlet passage and permit fuel vapors to once again vent from the fuel tank. Staggered openings in the housing of the valve assembly permit the fuel vapor to vent from the fuel tank through the outlet passage when it is open but prevent splashing or sloshing fuel within the fuel tank from flowing through the outlet passage and to a vapor canister downstream of the outlet passage.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for vehicles with more than one fuel tank or a single tank with separate sections under at least some fuel level conditions. The system has an electric fuel pump disposed in the fuel container and a jet pump connected to the electric fuel pump with fuel pickups connected to the jet pump through a siphon. The electric fuel pump powers the jet pump to fill the siphon with liquid fuel and draw fuel through the pickups which are spaced apart in separate sections of the fuel container. When the siphon is completely filled with liquid fuel and the jet pump is operating, any difference in the heads or fuel levels in the sections of the fuel container will cause fuel to flow through the siphon from the section with the greater head to the other section of the tank. This flow, due to the difference in pressure associated with different fuel levels, continues until the fuel levels and, hence, the pressures are substantially the same in each section of the container.

Abstract: A fuel pump with an inlet through which fuel is drawn from a fuel tank and an outlet through which fuel is discharged under pressure to an operating engine of a vehicle has an inlet throttle valve actuated by the pressure of the pump outlet fuel to at least partially restrict the flow of fuel through the inlet of the fuel pump and thereby reduce the flow rate of fuel discharged from the fuel pump when the fuel pump is delivering more fuel than is being consumed by the engine. The valve is preferably received within an inlet module between the fuel tank inlet and the fuel pump inlet. Preferably, the valve is slidably received in a passage in the module and actuated by a diaphragm received in the passage and displaceable by the pressure of the pump outlet fuel in response to engine fuel demand.

Abstract: A D.C. motor and an associated switch circuit for selecting between forward and reverse motor rotation about a motor axis. Two armature winding portions are disposed on an armature core, A magnetic flux source on the stator provides magnetic flux across an air gap for interaction with these winding portions. One winding portion, when energized, causes armature rotation in a forward sense; the other winding portion, when energized, causes armature rotation in a reverse sense. The associated switch circuit contains first circuit branch, including a first selectively operable switch, connected via certain brushes and commutator to include the one winding portion, and a second circuit branch, including a second selectively operable switch, connected via certain brushes and commutator to include the other winding portion.

Abstract: For a fuel injected combustion engine a fuel pressure regulator having a rapidly and accurately regulated output pressure over a wide range of flow rates by bypassing and returning to a fuel tank a portion of the input fuel from a fuel pump through a bypass valve actuated by a flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm is responsive to the pressure of the input fuel on one side of the diaphragm and a vacuum on the other side of the diaphragm having a magnitude which is varied as a function of the flow rate of the fuel bypassed through the valve and returned to the fuel tank. Preferably, this vacuum is produced by a venturi or orifice through which the bypass fuel flows.

Abstract: A no-return fuel system for an automotive engine with fuel injectors. The system has an electric fuel pump received in a fuel tank and supplying fuel at a substantially constant pressure to a demand regulator which delivers fuel to the fuel injectors under varying engine operating conditions. The fuel is delivered to the demand regulator at a substantially constant pressure by varying the speed of the fuel pump in response to changing fuel demand of the engine and/or by by-passing some of the fuel supplied by the pump through a by-pass regulator or relief valve. The demand regulator has a housing with a flexible diaphragm between first and second chambers. The admission of fuel to the first chamber is controlled by a valve associated with the diaphragm and fuel from this chamber is supplied to the engine injectors.