Abstract: The invention relates to a damping apparatus (10) comprising a hollow housing (19) containing a damping fluid, wherein the housing (19) comprises an opening (21), a rod (13) partially inserted through the opening (21) into the hollow housing (19), wherein the rod (13) is guided slidably along a stroke axis (A) relative to the hollow housing (19), and a piston package (16) fixed to an end of the rod (13) residing within the hollow housing (19), wherein the piston package (16) separates an upper chamber (191) of the hollow housing (19) adjacent to the opening (21) from a lower chamber (192) of the hollow housing (19). The rod (13) comprises an inner volume (131) containing a compensation fluid, wherein the inner volume (131) is connected to the lower chamber (192) in a manner conducting the damping fluid. The invention further relates to a solar panel array comprising multiple solar panels and a damping apparatus (10) according to the invention.

Abstract: A method of conducting a diagnostic test to determine leakage within a brake system includes first providing a brake system having a plunger assembly including a housing defining a bore therein. The plunger assembly includes a piston slidably disposed therein such that movement of the piston pressurizes a pressure chamber when the piston is moved in a first direction. The pressure chamber of the plunger assembly is in fluid communication with an output, and wherein the plunger assembly further includes an electrically operated linear actuator for moving the piston within the bore. The linear actuator of the plunger assembly is actuated to provide pressure at the output of the plunger assembly at a first predetermined level. The pressure at the output of the plunger assembly is held for a predetermined length of time. The method further includes determining whether conditional criteria has been met indicating a leakage within the brake system.

Abstract: A diagnostic method to identify a leak in simulator valve in a vehicle brake system includes the steps of: (1) providing a simulator partially filled with a pressure medium and a de-energized simulator valve; (2) energizing a pumping valve, a secondary three-way valve, and a plurality of apply valves; (3) applying and retracting a plunger in a plunger assembly at least two cycles so that a predetermined pressure is achieved; (3) holding a plunger in position within the plunger assembly while maintaining a replenishing check valve in a closed/de-energized position and energizing the simulator valve; (4) obtaining a measured master cylinder secondary pressure decay; (5) comparing the measured master cylinder secondary pressure decay to a predetermined pressure decay value; and (7) identifying a leak in the simulator valve if the measured master cylinder secondary pressure decay does not match the predetermined master cylinder secondary pressure decay.

Abstract: A method of conducting a diagnostic test to determine leakage within a brake system includes first providing a brake system having a plunger assembly including a housing defining a bore therein. The plunger assembly includes a piston slidably disposed therein such that movement of the piston pressurizes a pressure chamber when the piston is moved in a first direction. The pressure chamber of the plunger assembly is in fluid communication with an output, and wherein the plunger assembly further includes an electrically operated linear actuator for moving the piston within the bore. The linear actuator of the plunger assembly is actuated to provide pressure at the output of the plunger assembly at a first predetermined level. The pressure at the output of the plunger assembly is held for a predetermined length of time. The method further includes determining whether conditional criteria has been met indicating a leakage within the brake system.

Abstract: A diagnostic method to identify a leak in simulator valve in a vehicle brake system includes the steps of: (1) providing a simulator partially filled with a pressure medium and a de-energized simulator valve; (2) energizing a pumping valve, a secondary three-way valve, and a plurality of apply valves; (3) applying and retracting a plunger in a plunger assembly at least two cycles so that a predetermined pressure is achieved; (3) holding a plunger in position within the plunger assembly while maintaining a replenishing check valve in a closed/de-energized position and energizing the simulator valve; (4) obtaining a measured master cylinder secondary pressure decay; (5) comparing the measured master cylinder secondary pressure decay to a predetermined pressure decay value; and (7) identifying a leak in the simulator valve if the measured master cylinder secondary pressure decay does not match the predetermined master cylinder secondary pressure decay.

Abstract: A method of determining a homing position of a piston within a plunger assembly for a vehicle brake system at the beginning of an ignition cycle of the vehicle includes first providing a plunger assembly having a housing defining a bore therein. The plunger assembly includes a piston slidably disposed in the bore for pressurizing fluid within a pressure chamber when the piston is moved in a first direction. The plunger assembly further includes an electrically operated linear actuator for moving the piston within the bore. The method further includes providing electrical power to the linear actuator of the plunger assembly. The linear actuator is actuated to retract the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction towards an end stop. The piston engaging with the end stop is then detected.

Abstract: A method of conducting a diagnostic test to determine leakage within a brake system includes first providing a brake system having a plunger assembly including a housing defining a bore therein. The plunger assembly includes a piston slidably disposed therein such that movement of the piston pressurizes a pressure chamber when the piston is moved in a first direction. The pressure chamber of the plunger assembly is in fluid communication with an output, and wherein the plunger assembly further includes an electrically operated linear actuator for moving the piston within the bore. The linear actuator of the plunger assembly is actuated to provide pressure at the output of the plunger assembly at a first predetermined level. The pressure at the output of the plunger assembly is held for a predetermined length of time. The method further includes determining whether conditional criteria has been met indicating a leakage within the brake system.

Abstract: A diagnostic method to identify a leak in simulator valve in a vehicle brake system includes the steps of: (1) providing a simulator partially filled with a pressure medium and a de-energized simulator valve; (2) energizing a pumping valve, a secondary three-way valve, and a plurality of apply valves; (3) applying and retracting a plunger in a plunger assembly at least two cycles so that a predetermined pressure is achieved; (3) holding a plunger in position within the plunger assembly while maintaining a replenishing check valve in a closed/de-energized position and energizing the simulator valve; (4) obtaining a measured master cylinder secondary pressure decay; (5) comparing the measured master cylinder secondary pressure decay to a predetermined pressure decay value; and (7) identifying a leak in the simulator valve if the measured master cylinder secondary pressure decay does not match the predetermined master cylinder secondary pressure decay.

Abstract: A diagnostic method to identify a leak in simulator valve in a vehicle brake system includes the steps of: (1) providing a simulator partially filled with a pressure medium and a de-energized simulator valve; (2) energizing a pumping valve, a secondary three-way valve, and a plurality of apply valves; (3) applying and retracting a plunger in a plunger assembly at least two cycles so that a predetermined pressure is achieved; (3) holding a plunger in position within the plunger assembly while maintaining a replenishing check valve in a closed/de-energized position and energizing the simulator valve; (4) obtaining a measured master cylinder secondary pressure decay; (5) comparing the measured master cylinder secondary pressure decay to a predetermined pressure decay value; and (7) identifying a leak in the simulator valve if the measured master cylinder secondary pressure decay does not match the predetermined master cylinder secondary pressure decay.

Abstract: A method of determining a homing position of a piston within a plunger assembly for a vehicle brake system at the beginning of an ignition cycle of the vehicle includes first providing a plunger assembly having a housing defining a bore therein. The plunger assembly includes a piston slidably disposed in the bore for pressurizing fluid within a pressure chamber when the piston is moved in a first direction. The plunger assembly further includes an electrically operated linear actuator for moving the piston within the bore. The method further includes providing electrical power to the linear actuator of the plunger assembly. The linear actuator is actuated to retract the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction towards an end stop. The piston engaging with the end stop is then detected.

Abstract: A method of conducting a diagnostic test to determine leakage within a brake system includes first pressurizing the brake system. The pressure within the brake system is held for a predetermined length of time. The method further includes determining whether a leakage within the brake system has occurred.

Abstract: Piston assembly includes a piston housing defining an interior and having a first housing end and a second housing end, a piston rod having a first rod end extending into the interior and moveable therein between an extended position toward the first housing end and a retracted position toward the second housing end, a first plate joined to the piston rod proximate the first rod end, a second plate joined to the piston rod and spaced apart a distance along the piston rod from the first plate, and a piston head slidably joined to the piston rod between the first plate and the second plate. A lift assembly including a piston assembly and configured to provide a damping force to a pivotable body during pivoting of the pivotable body relative a stationary body between a closed position and an open position is provided.

Abstract: A retention clip having a body with a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a mounting hole defined in the first end of the body; and a U-shaped retaining slot formed by a leg arranged at the second end of the body and a portion of the body between the mounting hole and the U-shaped slot. The leg arranged at the second end of the body extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for warming a tire of a driven wheel of a vehicle, in which the vehicle includes one or more driven wheels and one or more non-driven wheels. The method includes determining a range of a transmission associated with the vehicle and determining a position of a throttle pedal associated with an engine of the vehicle. Based on the determined range of the transmission and the determined position of the throttle pedal, the method includes outputting one or more control signals to apply a braking force to the one or more non-driven wheels of the vehicle and outputting one or more control signals to drive the one or more driven wheels to warm the tire of the one or more driven wheels.

Abstract: A retention clip having a body with a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a mounting hole defined in the first end of the body; and a U-shaped retaining slot formed by a leg arranged at the second end of the body and a portion of the body between the mounting hole and the U-shaped slot. The leg arranged at the second end of the body extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for warming a tire of a driven wheel of a vehicle, in which the vehicle includes one or more driven wheels and one or more non-driven wheels. The method includes determining a range of a transmission associated with the vehicle and determining a position of a throttle pedal associated with an engine of the vehicle. Based on the determined range of the transmission and the determined position of the throttle pedal, the method includes outputting one or more control signals to apply a braking force to the one or more non-driven wheels of the vehicle and outputting one or more control signals to drive the one or more driven wheels to warm the tire of the one or more driven wheels.

Abstract: Piston assembly includes a piston housing defining an interior and having a first housing end and a second housing end, a piston rod having a first rod end extending into the interior and moveable therein between an extended position toward the first housing end and a retracted position toward the second housing end, a first plate joined to the piston rod proximate the first rod end, a second plate joined to the piston rod and spaced apart a distance along the piston rod from the first plate, and a piston head slidably joined to the piston rod between the first plate and the second plate. A lift assembly including a piston assembly and configured to provide a damping force to a pivotable body during pivoting of the pivotable body relative a stationary body between a closed position and an open position is provided.

Abstract: A lockable gas spring arrangement includes a gas spring with a closed cylinder, a displaceably guided piston and piston rod. A fastening tube fastened with its one end in the region of the free end of the piston rod and on which a locking element is arranged. The locking element is able to be moved substantially radially to the piston rod between an unlocked position permitting a free insertion movement and a locked position bearing against the front face of the cylinder on the piston rod side when the piston rod is extended. The locking element is able to be urged by a spring into its locked position. The locking element is able to be moved manually from its locked position into its unlocked position and is able to be retained automatically in its unlocked position by a retaining device.

Abstract: A method for compensating inertial sensor measurement outputs for mounting locations that are not coincident, nor orthogonal, with the vehicle center of gravity. The method further utilizes vehicle angular rate measurements, data, or estimates to determine the discrete acceleration components of the composite inertial sensor measurement output.

Abstract: A lockable gas spring arrangement includes a gas spring with a closed cylinder, a displaceably guided piston and piston rod. A fastening tube fastened with its one end in the region of the free end of the piston rod and on which a locking element is arranged. The locking element is able to be moved substantially radially to the piston rod between an unlocked position permitting a free insertion movement and a locked position bearing against the front face of the cylinder on the piston rod side when the piston rod is extended. The locking element is able to be urged by a spring into its locked position. The locking element is able to be moved manually from its locked position into its unlocked position and is able to be retained automatically in its unlocked position by a retaining device.