Abstract: An active aerodynamic application torque link system including a four bar linkage having a fixed link, driven link, follower link and coupler. The fixed link has a follower link aperture and a driven link aperture. The follower link has a first end rotatably connected to the follower link aperture of the fixed link and a second end of the follower link is connected to the coupler. The driven link is rotatably connected at a first end to the coupler and coupled at a second end to a torque transfer tube that has a cross sectional shape of a four sided polygon with four radial facets. The four sided torque transfer tube is rotatably connected to the driven link aperture of the fixed link. The four bar linkage is used in a number of different applications by connecting the coupler with different components.

Abstract: An active aerodynamic application torque link system including a four bar linkage having a fixed link, driven link, follower link and coupler. The fixed link has a follower link aperture and a driven link aperture. The follower link has a first end rotatably connected to the follower link aperture of the fixed link and a second end of the follower link is connected to the coupler. The driven link is rotatably connected at a first end to the coupler and coupled at a second end to a torque transfer tube that has a cross sectional shape of a four sided polygon with four radial facets. The four sided torque transfer tube is rotatably connected to the driven link aperture of the fixed link. The four bar linkage is used in a number of different applications by connecting the coupler with different components.

Abstract: An active liftgate spoiler (10;100;200;300;400) used on a liftgate (8) of a vehicle (6). The liftgate has an upper surface (4) and is typically a rear liftgate or hatch on the rear side of the vehicle. A housing (11;104;202;302;412) is connected to the upper surface of the liftgate. There is a moveable panel (12; 102;204, 208; 306, 308;402,403) connected to the housing using a connection. The connection is formed by a four bar linkage (20,20?; 106, 106?;210,210?; 311,311?;411, 411?) that forms a portion of the connection between the moveable panel and the housing. An actuator (14;110;212;314;414), which in one embodiment is a single rotary actuator is connected to the four bar linkage and causes the movement of the moveable panel.

Abstract: An active aerodynamic application torque link system including a four bar linkage having a fixed link, driven link, follower link and coupler. The fixed link has a follower link aperture and a driven link aperture. The follower link has a first end rotatably connected to the follower link aperture of the fixed link and a second end of the follower link is connected to the coupler. The driven link is rotatably connected at a first end to the coupler and coupled at a second end to a torque transfer tube that has a cross sectional shape of a four sided polygon with four radial facets. The four sided torque transfer tube is rotatably connected to the driven link aperture of the fixed link. The four bar linkage is used in a number of different applications by connecting the coupler with different components.

Abstract: An active front wheel deflector assembly (10) including a deflector panel (20) moveable between a stowed position and at least one deployed position wherein the deployment of the deflector panel (20) moves the deflector panel (20) into an airflow to direct air and improves aerodynamics. The active front wheel deflector assembly (10) combines linear actuation with rotational motion.

Abstract: An active front deflector assembly having a deflector panel, actuator, and linkage assemblies each with a predetermined geometry and ratio of links to each other for movement of the active front deflector assembly between at least a deployed position and a retracted position. The deflector panel is positionable at multiple heights. The assembly deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, redirects the air flow in the front of the vehicle to improve the vehicle aerodynamics for either fuel economy or performance characteristics. Additionally, it allows for the deflector panel to retract so the vehicle meets ground clearances, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. A drive shaft transmits the drive from one side to the other side. The deflector is both rigid and semi rigid to absorb impact energy.

Abstract: An active front deflector assembly for a vehicle capable of moving between an extended position and a retracted position or any position there between. The active front deflector assembly has a cross member for attaching to an underbody of a vehicle. The frame member also includes a plurality of slip joint connections for connecting to the underbody of the vehicle. The cross member is a fixed link of an actuator link assembly that has an actuator, drive link, floating link and a blade.

Abstract: An active front deflector assembly having a deployable deflector panel, linkage assemblies, and an actuator. The system deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, interrupts air flow thereby improving the vehicle aerodynamics, reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. The deflector panel is retractable so the vehicle meets ground clearances, ramp angles, off-road requirements, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. The linkage assemblies are coupled to the deflector panel and a drive shaft connected to the actuator. The drive shaft transmits the drive from the actuator coupled to one linkage assembly to the other linkage assembly for moving the deflector panel between the deployed/retracted positions. The actuator is clutched to prevent damage to the system. The active front deflector assembly provides a fully deployable system with object detection, declutching of the actuator, and communication with the vehicle.

Abstract: An active front deflector assembly having a deflector panel, actuator, and linkage assemblies each with a predetermined geometry and ratio of links to each other for movement of the active front deflector assembly between at least a deployed position and a retracted position. The deflector panel is positionable at multiple heights. The assembly deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, redirects the air flow in the front of the vehicle to improve the vehicle aerodynamics for either fuel economy or performance characteristics. Additionally, it allows for the deflector panel to retract so the vehicle meets ground clearances, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. A drive shaft transmits the drive from one side to the other side. The deflector is both rigid and semi rigid to absorb impact energy.

Abstract: A modular gate combined with multiple functions which can be easily employed with existing tailgates without any hardware or mounting modifications to existing truck beds. There is provided a modular tailgate system having a tailgate portion in combination with a plurality of functions. The modular tailgate system integrates any combinations of at least two of the plurality of features without affecting existing body sides and/or existing truck beds. Integrated features include a multi-functional gate (e.g., swing, drop, etc), storage (e.g., normal, sealed, refrigerated, heated, etc), step(s), lighting (e.g., ingress/egress, bed interior, removable, trailer hitch, parking, etc), bed extension(s), power (e.g., 12 v and/or 110 v), tie downs (e.g., ratchets, anchors, etc), sawhorse, magnet(s), table(s), bench(es), seat(s), net(s), any other predetermined desired function, etc., and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An active front deflector assembly having a deflector panel, actuator, and linkage assemblies each with a predetermined ratio of the links to each other for motion of the deflector panel. The assembly deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, redirects the air flow in the front of the vehicle to improve the vehicle aerodynamics for either fuel economy or performance characteristics. Additionally, it allows for the deflector panel to retract so the vehicle meets ground clearances, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. The drive shaft transmits the drive from the actuator coupled to one linkage assembly to the other linkage assembly for moving the deflector panel between the deployed/retracted positions. The actuator is clutched to prevent damage to the system.

Abstract: An active front deflector assembly for a vehicle capable of moving between an extended position and a retracted position or any position there between. The active front deflector assembly has a cross member for attaching to an underbody of a vehicle. The frame member also includes a plurality of slip joint connections for connecting to the underbody of the vehicle. The cross member is a fixed link of an actuator link assembly that has an actuator, drive link, floating link and a blade.

Abstract: An active front deflector assembly having a deflector panel, actuator, and linkage assemblies each with a predetermined ratio of the links to each other for motion of the deflector panel. The assembly deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, redirects the air flow in the front of the vehicle to improve the vehicle aerodynamics for either fuel economy or performance characteristics. Additionally, it allows for the deflector panel to retract so the vehicle meets ground clearances, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. The drive shaft transmits the drive from the actuator coupled to one linkage assembly to the other linkage assembly for moving the deflector panel between the deployed/retracted positions. The actuator is clutched to prevent damage to the system.

Abstract: An active front deflector assembly for a vehicle capable of moving between an extended position and a retracted position or any position there between. The active front deflector assembly has a cross member for attaching to an underbody of a vehicle. The frame member also includes a plurality of slip joint connections for connecting to the underbody of the vehicle. The cross member is a fixed link of an actuator link assembly that has an actuator, drive link, floating link and a blade.

Abstract: An active side panel assembly having at least one deployable panel (22) and at least one actuator (30). The deployable panel deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements and provides valuable reduction in vehicle drag, thereby reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. Additionally, it allows for the system to retract so the vehicle can still meet ground clearances, ramp angles, off-road requirements, etc. The active side panel provides a fully deployable system with object detection, declutching of the actuator to help prevent damage, and communication with the vehicle to determine proper deployment and function.

Abstract: An active underbody panel system having a frame arrangement mounted under the vehicle and at least one deployable panel moveable between stowed and deployed positions to improve aerodynamics under the vehicle. A deployment/retraction mechanism is provided having a pair of linkage assemblies and driven by an actuator, which allows the deployable panel(s) to be moved automatically downward into the air flow as needed.

Abstract: A sealed actuator with internal clutching assembly including an output shaft, output detent ring, moving detent ring, and a wave spring, which is fit inside a sealed housing. The moving detent ring is able to move axially to the output shaft and the output detent ring is able to rotate on the output shaft. Intermeshing ramped teeth of these rings are held together by a wave spring and allow the output shaft to rotate and transmit torque of a motor through a main gear operably coupled to an output gear mounted on the output shaft to the outside of the housing. During predetermined high loads, the output and moving detent rings ramped teeth create an axial force that overcomes the load from the wave spring, which allows moving detent ring to disengage and output shaft to rotate freely to help prevent damage to the actuator.

Abstract: An active underbody panel system having a frame arrangement mounted under the vehicle and at least one deployable panel moveable between stowed and deployed positions to improve aerodynamics under the vehicle. A deployment/retraction mechanism is provided having a pair of linkage assemblies and driven by an actuator, which allows the deployable panel(s) to be moved automatically downward into the air flow as needed.

Abstract: An active side panel assembly having at least one deployable panel (22) and at least one actuator (30). The deployable panel deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements and provides valueable reduction in vehicle drag, thereby reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. Additionally, it allows for the system to retract so the vehicle can still meet ground clearances, ramp angles, off-road requirements, etc. The active side panel provides a fully deployable system with object detection, declutching of the actuator to help prevent damage, and communication with the vehicle to determine proper deployment and function.

Abstract: An air dam for a vehicle having a front panel with a downward facing surface at a lateral front edge. At least one air curtain such as an air jet forces air downward toward the ground for creating an aerodynamic barrier of air which reduces turbulence caused by the underbody of a vehicle while the vehicle is underway.