Abstract: Described herein is the sense element assembly for a capacitive pressure sensor and method for creating same that has increased sensitivity without additional size. The sense element assembly and method includes fabricating an off-centered elliptically shaped center electrode, at least one elliptical annular-like electrode around the center electrode, a ground electrode and a method for fusing the layers together to optimize sensitivity.

Abstract: Described herein is the sense element assembly for a capacitive pressure sensor and method for creating same that has increased sensitivity without additional size. The sense element assembly and method includes fabricating an off-centered elliptically shaped center electrode, at least one elliptical annular-like electrode around the center electrode, a ground electrode and a method for fusing the layers together to optimize sensitivity.

Abstract: Described herein is an integrated pressure sensor assembly. The integrated pressure sensor assembly includes a printed circuit board assembly comprising a plurality of boards; a pressure die mounted on at least a portion of the printed circuit board assembly; and a housing engaged to the printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly includes at least one pressure transmission channel and at least one electrical transmission channel.

Abstract: The pressure at a pressure sensor is cycled between a higher (upstream) pressure and a lower (downstream) pressure. The pressure sensor senses the higher and lower pressures, and the difference therebetween is calculated and output. The pressure sensor can be a “single-pressure” pressure sensor (gage or absolute) where the pressure sensor is alternately connected between the two pressures.

Abstract: Described herein is a seat belt tension sensor assembly that includes an anchor plate adapted to be secured to an object, a housing associated with and movable with respect to the anchor plate, wherein the housing defines a cavity therein, and a sense element disposed in the cavity. The sense element is adapted to produce an output in response to a force placed thereon. The output provided by the sense element is a function of the force placed on the housing by a seat belt up to a predetermined maximum value. The housing does not move until the maximum value is reached, and, after the maximum value is reached, the output of the sense element does not substantially change from the maximum value.

Abstract: A method for the singulation of hybrid circuits from a pre-scribed plate containing hybrid circuits or made of other brittle materials. The method includes the steps of providing a platen used to support the hybrid plate and which has a surface comprised of a series of sections each angled downward from its adjacent section, aligning the plate on the platen so that the scribe lines align with the surface discontinuities at the angles between the sections, securing the plate to the platen with vacuum pressure, creating a pressure differential between a space above the plate and a space below the plate, and applying the pressure differential to sequentially break the plate along the pre-scribed lines by forcing the plate against the angles.

Abstract: A control system for producing first and second fluid sources whose pressure difference is regulated to a desired value in response to four fluid supplies of independently variable pressures. The pressure of the first fluid source is not allowed to decrease substantially below the third fluid supply pressure or rise substantially higher than the desired value above the pressure of the third fluid supply. The pressure of the second fluid source is not allowed to rise substantially above the fourth fluid supply pressure or decrease substantially lower than the desired value below the pressure of the third fluid supply. The system may consist of a diaphragm-type pressure regulator which is responsive to the difference in pressure of the two fluid sources. One side of the regulator is selectively valved to connect to one of two pressure supplies while the other side is selectively valved to connect to one of two additional pressure supplies.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated fluid switching valve is described with a movable valve member and a stationary member; the movable member containing at least 2 valve elements that seat in the closed position against valve seating elements, the valve and valve seating elements being made from components that can be precisely matched in thickness and interleaved so that all pairs of elements open and close essentially simultaneously. The solenoid portion can consist of at least 2 armature elements connected by a spacer and at least 2 stator elements connected by a spacer, all of which made from magnetically permeable material, and one or more electrical coils located within the envelope; the armature and stator elements interleaved in a way to create at least 2 substantially equal gaps so the armature is urged in one direction when electrical current is applied to the coils.

Abstract: A method and system for sensing pressure in a seat cushion are embodied in a pressure sensing system including a bag positioned within the seat cushion and a pressure sensor which is mounted to an outer surface of the bag. The bag is filled with a fluid and includes a plurality of fluidically connected sections formed to restrict a flow of fluid between the sections. The pressure sensor includes a diaphragm and is mounted to the bag with the diaphragm being positioned against the outer surface of the bag such that the pressure sensor provides an indication of a pressure of the fluid in response to movements of the outer surface toward the diaphragm.

Abstract: An on-board diagnostic system for an evaporative emission control system of an internal combustion engine powered vehicle employs a positive displacement reciprocating pump to create in evaporative emission space a pressure that differs significantly from ambient atmospheric pressure. The pump is powered by using engine intake manifold vacuum to force an intake stroke during which both an internal spring is increasingly compressed and a charge of ambient atmospheric air is created in an air pumping chamber space. Vacuum is then removed, and the spring relaxes to force a compression stroke wherein a portion of the air charge is forced into the evaporative emission space. The rate at which the pump reciprocates to alternately execute intake and compression strokes indicates the pressure and flow through a leak in the evaporative emission space. Detection of this rate serves as a measurement of leakage for the purpose of distinguishing integrity of the evaporative emission space from non-integrity.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling pressure in a wheel brake cylinder of a brake. The hydraulic cylinder is connected to an electrically driven pump and a flow control valve is connected between the pump and the wheel cylinder. The system and method operate to control the speed of a motor driven pump to generate a desired pressure in a cylinder of the brake; generate a differential pressure, in the flow control valve, proportional to pump flow and communication same to a spring biased valving element; cause the valving element to move, in response to pressure forces acting on the valving element, generated by the pressure differential, and the force of the bias spring, so as to selectively open and close an associated exhaust port, connected to a drain or sump, such that in the steady state an equilibrium condition is achieved where the pressure forces balance the spring force and the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder is constant.

Abstract: A fluid control valve (10) comprising: a fluid carrying core (12) and separatable magnetic field generating portion (14). The fluid carrying core (12) comprises: a magnetic armature (30) movable through a working gap (32) within a thin walled tube (34). The armature includes a first plurality of grooves (100) to permit fluid flow thereacross. The tube is joined to a magnetic first member (50) in a manner to form a leak-free seal (56) generally at one end of the tube. A second member (80) partially seals the other end of the tube and includes second flow means a second plurality of axial grooves (84) for receiving fluid carried to the valve (10) and for communicating same with the armature (30). Various passages are provided to carry fluid to and from the valve. The position and number of passages permit the valve to be used as a two-way valve or as a three-way valve passage means (88;64) for transporting fluid away from the valve (10).

Abstract: A reversible flow pump (12) comprising: a first port (16) and a second port (20); a rotor (60) comprising a plurality of pump elements (74-80) movable through a fill mode and a discharge mode, a pump chamber (140) associated with each pump element (74) which are respectively filled and discharged; a ported shaft (30) rotatable between a first position and a second position, for carrying fluid to and from the various pump chambers (140), such that when in the first position fluid received at the first port (16) is communicated to fill each pump chamber (140) during the fill mode, at least a portion of such fluid is discharged therefrom and communicated to the second port (20), and wherein in the second position fluid flow is reversed. A brake system incorporating the pump is also disclosed.

Abstract: A parking brake system comprising a drum brake (200) comprising two shoes (206) outwardly movable relative to a friction surface of a drum (224); an activation device (220, 222) for generating an activation force to move the shoes outwardly to a first position into contact with the drum sufficiently to prevent the drum; a solenoid activated linkage mechanism (230, 240; 322, 352) is provided for maintaining the shoes substantially in the first position.

Abstract: A pico fuel injector valve (10) adapted to be received in an injector socket provided in an air intake manifold (12) of an internal combustion engine having an integral fuel rail (14). The fuel injector valve has a magnetically permeable cylindrical housing (26) having radial inlet ports (24) and an armature guide bore (32). A valve seat member (40) having an outlet port and a valve seat (48) is attached to the end of the cylindrical housing (26) having the guide bore. An orifice plate (56) having a calibrated orifice is disposed in an orifice plate recess (50) provided in the face of the valve seat member (40). A stator (76) disposed in the cylindrical housing has an axially disposed pole member (78) and a radial flange (80) attached to the other end of the cylindrical housing. A solenoid coil is wound directly around the pole member (78).

Abstract: An anemometer comprising: orifice plate adapted to be disposed within a flow stream, including an orifice; a thin film bridge, spaced from and disposed downstream of the orifice plate for directing the stream exiting the orifice in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction and for insulatingly suspending a plurality of resistive elements within a portion of the flow stream exiting the orifice. The plurality resistive elements comprising a first resistive element conformally shaped to the orifice, and a second resistive element substantially circumferentially disposed about the first resistive element, the second resistive element comprising a sense resistor having a resistance which changes with flow and a circuit formed in part by the plurality of resistive elements, forming a sensing network therewith for generating a signal indicative of the flow stream.

Abstract: A disk brake comprising of a disk hub adapted to be mounted to a wheel; a plurality of annularly shaped rotors or disks; a device for mounting the rotors to the disk hub such that the rotors rotate with disk hub and are free to slide in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of rotation; a pair of opposing situated brake pads, one associated with each rotor, and a device for urging the brake pads into frictional engagement with the rotors. Specially shaped liners interposed grooves of the hub and teeth of the rotors. A second set of liners is fitted between a brake caliper and the brake pads.

Abstract: The invention describes an electrically controllable mono-tube shock absorber wherein the damping of the shock absorber is controlled by a solenoid valve. The valve includes a poppet valve which is mechanically independent of an electrically actuated armature. A second valve is also disclosed which includes a poppet valve having a cylindrical wall which prevents the poppet valve from contacting the armature. A third valve, carried by the shock absorber piston includes two axially extending passages one of which cooperates with a poppet valve to increase fluid flow thereacross to reduce damping. Each valve can be actuated in accordance with the direction (sign) of a derived velocity signal.

Abstract: A disk brake comprising of a disk hub adapted to be mounted to a wheel; a plurality of annularly shaped rotors or disks; a support for mounting the rotors to the disk hub such that the rotors rotate with disk hub and are free to slide in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of rotation; a pair of opposing situated brake pads, one associated with each rotor, and a device for urging the brake pads into frictional engagement with the rotors. Specially shaped liners interposed grooves of the hub and teeth of the rotors. A second set of liners is fitted between a brake caliper and the brake pads.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid system including a master cylinder (30) moved by a clutch pedal (34) for pressurizing a remotely located slave cylinder (50). The slave cylinder and master cylinder each including a rolling diaphragm (104, 176). The slave cylinder further including a cup-shaped piston (134) for isolating its rolling diaphragm from the rotation of a throw-out bearing (66) which is moved by the diaphragm.