Abstract: A power actuator system for a movable vehicle panel such as a lift gate assembly includes a position sensor that detects the pivotal movement of a strut mechanism of the power lift gate assembly relative to the host vehicle. A rotary sensor is coupled directly to an end component of the strut mechanism and provides signals that indicate the total amount of pivotal or rotary movement of the strut mechanism and the lift gate during the opening and closing of the lift gate. The signals provide information to determine the absolute position of the strut and the lift gate for processing in the vehicle's electronic control unit.

Abstract: A power actuator system for a movable vehicle panel such as a lift gate assembly includes a position sensor that detects the pivotal movement of a strut mechanism of the power lift gate assembly relative to the host vehicle. A rotary sensor is coupled directly to an end component of the strut mechanism and provides signals that indicate the total amount of pivotal or rotary movement of the strut mechanism and the lift gate during the opening and closing of the lift gate. The signals provide information to determine the absolute position of the strut and the lift gate for processing in the vehicle's electronic control unit.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint connector is provided at opposing ends of a strut, the connector includes a socket body having an interior chamber and a ball stud including a ball end movable within and relative to the interior chamber. The ball end is connected to a stud base. The socket body includes sidewall extensions to limit movement of the ball in a first direction and prohibiting movement of the ball stud in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A retainer secures the ball end within the interior chamber preventing fore and aft movement of the ball stud but allowing rotation movement of the ball end within the chamber.

Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the vehicle roof and connected to the liftgate for opening and closing the liftgate. Each drive unit includes a bracket that is secured to the vehicle body for supporting several parts including a reversible electric motor, a gear unit and a housing having a forward linear track and a contiguous rearward curved track. The electric motor drives a segmented drive linkage disposed in the housing via the gear unit. The segmented drive linkage includes an elongated arcuate link that is guided by the rearward curved track, a linear rack link that is guided by the forward linear track, and an intermediate link that has an outer end that is pivotally attached to an inner end of the arcuate link and an inner end that is pivotally attached to a midpoint of the linear rack link.

Abstract: A vehicle pivoting closure assembly has a concealed power actuator remotely operated by a controller to open and close a closure or liftgate. A hinge member of the power actuator is engaged pivotally to a vehicle structure about a hinge axis, and rigidly to the closure. An armature extends pivotally from an elongated linear moving rack about a rack pivot axis and to the hinge member. The armature also pivotally engages the hinge member about a secondary pivot axis disposed parallel to the hinge axis and rack pivot axis. The rack is driven by a pinion gear train powered by a motor through a clutch. The hinge, the rack, the gear train and the motor are all supported by a reinforcement tray forming a modular engaged to the vehicle structure. The tray isolates the extreme dynamic loads placed upon the hinge by the motor, thereby eliminating the need to further reinforce the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the respective vehicle pillars at the sides of the liftgate opening. Each drive unit includes a vertically oriented channel and a rack member that moves in the channel. The rack member comprises a rack bar and a plurality of rack links that are pivotally connected end-to-end. A transfer link is universally attached to the rack bar at one end and universally attached to the liftgate at the opposite end. The rack member is raised and lowered by a power unit that has a motor driven pinion gear that meshes with teeth of the rack bar and the rack links in succession. Raising and lowering the rack member opens and closes the liftgate via the transfer link.

Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the vehicle roof and connected to the liftgate for opening and closing the liftgate. Each drive unit includes a housing having a curved track and a curved gear rack that is bodily movable endwise in the housing and guided by the curved track, the rack also serving as the drive link between the housing and the liftgate. The combined rack and drive link is extended and retracted by a pinion gear that is journalled interiorly in the housing and engages the teeth of the curved gear rack. The pinion gear is rotated by the output shaft of the motor, which in turn is fastened to the side of the housing. The motor is a reversible electric motor and is adapted to be operably coupled to the vehicle ECU unit and preferably includes an internal transmission and electrically operated clutch controlled by the ECU unit.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a toothed rack and channel track type of power liftgate attaches the liftgate lift rod to the toothed rack indirectly, through a shoe-yoke assembly that transfers axial loads, but isolates the rack from non axial reactive loads transferred through the lift rod. A rigid yoke fits closely within axially spaced ends of a notch in the rack, but has a clearance elsewhere from the outside of the rack. The outside of the yoke is closely surrounded by a shoe, which provides a close fitting, slidable bearing layer with the inside of the channel track, maintaining the yoke to rack clearance. The maintenance of the yoke-rack clearance prevents the transmission of undesired reactive loads back to the rack through the yoke.

Abstract: A vehicle pivoting closure assembly has a concealed power actuator remotely operated by a controller to open and close a closure or liftgate. A hinge member of the power actuator is engaged pivotally to a vehicle structure about a hinge axis, and rigidly to the closure. An armature extends pivotally from an elongated linear moving rack about a rack pivot axis and to the hinge member. The armature also pivotally engages the hinge member about a secondary pivot axis disposed parallel to the hinge axis and rack pivot axis. The rack is driven by a pinion gear train powered by a motor through a clutch. The hinge, the rack, the gear train and the motor are all supported by a reinforcement tray forming a modular engaged to the vehicle structure. The tray isolates the extreme dynamic loads placed upon the hinge by the motor, thereby eliminating the need to further reinforce the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the vehicle roof and connected to the liftgate for opening and closing the liftgate. Each drive unit includes a housing having a curved track and a curved gear rack that is bodily movable endwise in the housing and guided by the curved track, the rack also serving as the drive link between the housing and the liftgate. The combined rack and drive link is extended and retracted by a pinion gear that is journalled interiorly in the housing and engages the teeth of the curved gear rack. The pinion gear is rotated by the output shaft of the motor, which in turn is fastened to the side of the housing. The motor is a reversible electric motor and is adapted to be operably coupled to the vehicle ECU unit and preferably includes an internal transmission and electrically operated clutch controlled by the ECU unit.

Abstract: A hot air dryer utilizes high velocity air jets which scrub and break up the moist air layer which clings to the surface of a freshly printed sheet. High velocity air is heated to a high temperature as it flows along a resistance heating element within an air delivery baffle tube. The heated, high velocity air pressurizes a plenum chamber within an air distribution manifold. High velocity jets of hot air are discharged through multiple air flow apertures onto the wet ink side of a printed sheet as it moves through the dryer exposure zone. An extractor removes the moist air layer, high velocity hot air and volatiles from the printed sheet and exhausts it from the press.

Abstract: A support cylinder for guiding freshly processed substrate material between printing units or at the delivery end of a printing press is provided with a low coefficient of friction, semi-conductive covering for supporting and transporting the freshly processed substrate material without smearing the ink or causing indentations on the surface of the substrate. Radially projecting surface portions define electrostatic precipitation points and reduce the surface area available for frictional engagement. The low friction and electrostatically neutral properties of the semi-conductive base covering permit free movement of the freshly processed substrate relative to the support cylinder surface. Electrostatic charges carried by the processed substrate are discharged through the semi-conductive base covering into the support cylinder, thus eliminating electrostatic cling attraction between the freshly processed substrate and the support cylinder.

Abstract: A transfer cylinder for supporting freshly printed sheet material between printing units or at the delivery unit of a printing press is provided with an ink repellent, flexible jacket covering for supporting and transporting the sheet material without transfer of wet ink from one sheet to a successive sheet and without smearing the ink or causing indentations on the surface of the sheet material. The circumferential support surface of the transfer cylinder is covered with a conductive, fluoropolymer layer secured to the surface of the transfer cylinder beneath the protective, wash-free disposable flexible jacket covering. The low friction properties of the conductive base covering permit free movement of the ink repellent, flexible jacket covering relative to the transfer cylinder surface. Electrostatic charges delivered to the flexible jacket covering by the printed sheet material are drawn away from the flexible jacket covering and are discharged into the transfer cylinder by the conductive base covering.

Abstract: A transfer cylinder for supporting freshly printed sheet material between printing units or at the delivery unit of a printing press is provided with an ink repellent, flexible jacket covering for supporting and transporting the sheet material without transfer of wet ink from one sheet to a successive sheet and without smearing the ink or causing indentations on the surface of the sheet material. The circumferential support surface of the transfer cylinder is covered with a conductive, fluoropolymer layer secured to the surface of the transfer cylinder beneath the protective, wash-free disposable flexible jacket covering. The low friction properties of the conductive base covering permit free movement of the ink repellent, flexible jacket covering relative to the transfer cylinder surface. Electrostatic charges delivered to the flexible jacket covering by the printed sheet material are drawn away from the flexible jacket covering and are discharged into the transfer cylinder by the conductive base covering.

Abstract: A flexible jacket covering is pre-stretched, pre-flattened and pre-cut to predetermined length and width dimensions for attachment onto a transfer cylinder. The flexible jacket covering is marked with alignment stripes and centering marks for faster, simpler and precise attachment of the flexible jacket covering onto the transfer cylinder in an operative position. A predetermined precise amount of movement or looseness of the pre-fabricated flexible jacket covering relative to the transfer cylinder support surface is established in the operative position. Reinforcement strips are stitched onto the gripper, the tail and the operator/gear side edges of the flexible jacket covering for stabilizing the flexible jacket covering and preventing detachment from the transfer cylinder during high speed press operation. At least one side of each reinforcement strip has pressure sensitive adhesive for securing the flexible jacket covering onto the transfer cylinder.

Abstract: Freshly printed sheets are transferred from one printing unit to another by transfer cylinders each having an ink repellent, electrically conductive, striped flexible jacket covering that is movable relative to the sheet support surface of the transfer cylinder. The jacket covering is made of a flexible fabric material that is pre-stretched, pressed flat, cut to size and treated with an ink repellent compound and is also treated with an anti-static ionic compound or is otherwise rendered electrically conductive by one or more conductive strands. Electrostatic charges carried by the freshly printed sheets are discharged through the ink repellent, electrically conductive, flexible jacket covering into the grounded transfer cylinder. A low friction, electrically conductive cylinder base covering that includes center alignment marks is secured to the transfer cylinder for engaging the flexible jacket covering.

Abstract: A vehicle power liftgate cable drive has a cable drive housing. An electric motor with a motor housing and an output shaft is secured to the cable drive housing. A clutch pack with a first clutch driven by the output shaft and a second clutch driven by the first clutch, is mounted in the cable drive housing. One of the clutches in the clutch pack is a one way clutch and the other clutch is an electromechanical clutch. A pinion gear is driven by the second clutch. A driven gear is rotatably journaled on a fixed shaft and driven by the pinion gear. The cable drum is attached to the driven gear. A coil spring has one end fixed to the fixed shaft and its other end attached to the cable drum. The fixed shaft is rotated to preload the coil spring in a direction that tends to wind a cable on the cable drum and then the fixed shaft is fastened to the cable drive housing. A cable is attached to the cable drum and to the liftgate.

Abstract: A gage for measuring accumulated fatigue damage, or accumulated strain experience, and remaining fatigue life in a structure subjected to repeated loadings in relation to predictions or calibration tests. The disclosed embodiment has a thin, nominally rectangular metal base of uniform thickness which has a very narrow crack-like slit cut in one side and a teflon parting strip attached to the base underlying the slit. When the gage is attached to a structure with a suitable adhesive and the structure is subjected to repeated loading, a fatigue crack immediately begins at the inner end of the slit and increases in length as an approximately linear function of the accumulative fatigue damage strains incurred by the structure. The crack in the gage occurs in advance of and independently of any crack in the structure itself.

Abstract: Freshly printed sheets are transferred from one printing unit to another by transfer cylinders each having an ink repellent, electrically conductive, striped flexible jacket covering that is movable relative to the sheet support surface of the transfer cylinder. The jacket covering is made of a flexible fabric material that is pre-stretched, pressed flat, cut to size and treated with an ink repellent compound and is also treated with an anti-static ionic compound or is otherwise rendered electrically conductive by one or more conductive strands. Electrostatic charges carried by the freshly printed sheets are discharged through the ink repellent, electrically conductive, flexible jacket covering into the grounded transfer cylinder. A low friction, electrically conductive cylinder base covering that includes center alignment marks is secured to the transfer cylinder for engaging the flexible jacket covering.