Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises (a) a rotatable spool on which seat belt webbing is wound and (b) a load-limiting system to limit a load applied to a vehicle occupant by the webbing. The load-limiting system includes a flow control orifice through which fluid is forced when a load in excess of a predetermined load is applied to the rotatable spool by the webbing. The cross-sectional flow area of the flow control orifice is adjustable in response to unwinding of webbing from the rotatable spool prior to a vehicle crash event and ceases to be adjustable after the crash event is in progress. The load-limiting system also includes a piston in a cylinder. The piston and cylinder are operatively coupled to the spool such that rotation of the spool causes the piston to move relative to the cylinder, which movement causes fluid to be forced through the flow control orifice.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises (a) a rotatable spool on which seat belt webbing is wound and (b) a load-limiting system to limit a load applied to a vehicle occupant by the webbing. The load-limiting system includes a flow control orifice through which fluid is forced when a load in excess of a predetermined load is applied to the rotatable spool by the webbing. The cross-sectional flow area of the flow control orifice is adjustable in response to unwinding of webbing from the rotatable spool prior to a vehicle crash event and ceases to be adjustable after the crash event is in progress. The load-limiting system also includes a piston in a cylinder. The piston and cylinder are operatively coupled to the spool such that rotation of the spool causes the piston to move relative to the cylinder, which movement causes fluid to be forced through the flow control orifice.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises (a) a rotatable spool on which seat belt webbing is wound and (b) a load-limiting system to limit a load applied to a vehicle occupant by the webbing. The load-limiting system includes a flow control orifice through which fluid is forced when a load in excess of a predetermined load is applied to the rotatable spool by the webbing. The cross-sectional flow area of the flow control orifice is adjustable in response to unwinding of webbing from the rotatable spool prior to a vehicle crash event and ceases to be adjustable after the crash event is in progress. The load-limiting system also includes a piston in a cylinder. The piston and cylinder are operatively coupled to the spool such that rotation of the spool causes the piston to move relative to the cylinder, which movement causes fluid to be forced through the flow control orifice.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises (a) a rotatable spool on which seat belt webbing is wound and (b) a load-limiting system to limit a load applied to a vehicle occupant by the webbing. The load-limiting system includes a flow control orifice through which fluid is forced when a load in excess of a predetermined load is applied to the rotatable spool by the webbing. The cross-sectional flow area of the flow control orifice is adjustable in response to unwinding of webbing from the rotatable spool prior to a vehicle crash event and ceases to be adjustable after the crash event is in progress. The load-limiting system also includes a piston in a cylinder. The piston and cylinder are operatively coupled to the spool such that rotation of the spool causes the piston to move relative to the cylinder, which movement causes fluid to be forced through the flow control orifice.

Abstract: A thermostatic device for selectively opening and closing one of more apertures used for controlling the flow of a coolant fluid includes a housing, at least one fixed element and at least one moveable element. The at least one fixed element is fixedly interconnected to the housing. The at least one moveable is moveably connected to the housing. A fluid path passes through the fixed element and the moveable element. The fluid path is opened and closed in response to movement of the moveable element relative to the fixed element such that when the moveable element is in a first position the fluid path is closed and when the moveable element is in a second position the fluid path is open. A temperature responsive bi-metal element is coupled to the moveable element for moving the moveable element between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A thermostatic device for selectively opening and closing one of more apertures used for controlling the flow of a coolant fluid includes a housing, at least one fixed element and at least one moveable element. The at least one fixed element is fixedly interconnected to the housing. The at least one moveable is moveably connected to the housing. A fluid path passes through the fixed element and the moveable element. The fluid path is opened and closed in response to movement of the moveable element relative to the fixed element such that when the moveable element is in a first position the fluid path is closed and when the moveable element is in a second position the fluid path is open. A temperature responsive bi-metal element is coupled to the moveable element for moving the moveable element between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A thermostatic device for selectively opening and closing one of more apertures used for controlling the flow of a coolant fluid includes a housing, at least one fixed element and at least one moveable element. The at least one fixed element is fixedly interconnected to the housing. The at least one moveable is moveably connected to the housing. A fluid path passes through the fixed element and the moveable element. The fluid path is opened and closed in response to movement of the moveable element relative to the fixed element such that when the moveable element is in a first position the fluid path is closed and when the moveable element is in a second position the fluid path is open. A temperature responsive bi-metal element is coupled to the moveable element for moving the moveable element between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A magnetic torque transfer device. The magnetic torque transfer device includes an input member and an output member. The input member notably drives at least one input gear. The output member drives at least one output gear. At least one input gear has a first plurality of gear teeth meshingly engaged with a second plurality of gear teeth of at least one output gear. A magneto rheological fluid is disposed between at least some of the meshing first and second pluralities of gear teeth.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (10) including a magnetic actuator (11) having an air pressure transducer therein for generating a signal proportional to the interior tire air pressure. The actuator (11) operates parallel to the axle to alleviate speed sensitivity. Magnetic actuator (11) communicates with a stationary field sensor (12) permanently mounted on the vehicle at a close proximity to the magnetic actuator (11). The magnetic actuator (11) rotates about the access with the wheel (15), and for every revolution of the wheel (15), comes in to close proximity to the sensor (12) at least once, and communicates information about the internal tire pressure to the driver.