Abstract: Detecting faults in circuits driving average-current loads. At least one example is a method comprising: conducting, during a first half-period of a drive cycle, a first current through a first FET to an inductor and an average-current load (e.g., an LED); sensing, during the first half-period, a signal indicative of average current through the first FET; and then conducting, during a second half-period of the drive cycle, a second current through a second FET to the inductor and the average-current load; sensing, during the second half-period, a signal indicative of average current through the second FET; and asserting a fault signal if the signal indicative of average current through the second FET indicates an average current supplied to the average-current load is outside a predetermined range of values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing, by molding, a casing (3) having at least one helical bellows, comprising a mold (2) constituted of indentations and of at least one core (1) each having a helical threading complementary to one another whereby delimiting a molding space. Said device comprises means that make it possible to carry out an unscrewing relative to the casing (3) and to said core (1) in order to proceed with removing the casing from the mold. The invention is characterized in that it comprises means (51, 6) for holding each of the ends of the core (1) during molding, this core (1) having a helix angle of less than approximately 15°.

Abstract: An engine mount assembly comprises a rigid dome-shaped cover secured to the vehicle body or chassis. The cover supports internal rubber elements which in turn support rigid facing jaws. A damping module comprising two bellows chambers and an assembly of two valve elements is inserted in a unit, together with a valve arrangement. A bolt secured to the engine of the vehicle passes through the valve elements and holds the damping module in position and transmits engine vibrations to the damping module. Hydraulic fluid in the chambers is thus forced through a helical conduit which contains a restriction for damping the fluid movement and thus the vibrations. At higher vibration frequencies, valve flaps vibrate causing alternate small compression and expansion of the chambers and thus damping of the vibrations.

Abstract: An engine mount comprises a relatively stiff elastomeric member having an interior defining a first chamber containing hydraulic liquid. The elastomeric member is attached both to the engine and to the vehicle body. A flexible wall defines a second chamber and the two chambers are connected by a restricted channel. Engine vibration is transmitted to the liquid in the first chamber via the elastomeric member, and damping takes place because of the resistance to the flow of liquid between the two chambers or because of oscillation of the mass of the liquid in the restricted channel. In addition, a flexible membrane is supported by the interior wall of the elastomeric member and urged against this wall by a leaf spring, and the air pressure between the interior wall of the elastomeric member and the membrane is variable.