Abstract: An integrated pinion/bearing/coupling (PBC) assembly for use with a hypoid gearset in power transfer assemblies of motor vehicles having mounting features and venting features, The integrated PBC assembly includes a hollow pinion unit made of steel and including a pinion shaft segment and a pinion gear segment, and a coupling unit having a hub segment made of aluminum. A brazing sleeve is used to braze the aluminum hub segment of the coupling unit to the steel pinion shaft segment of the pinion unit.

Abstract: A two-speed transfer case for a four-wheel drive vehicle is provided. The transfer case has a two-speed planetary gearset, a range clutch, and a range shift mechanism. The planetary gearset includes a carrier unit having at least one crack arresting feature configured to limit propagation of a stress crack. The carrier unit includes a plurality of mounting holes for securing planet gears for rotation relative to the carrier unit. The gearset includes a sun gear configured for and a ring gear, with the planet gears in meshed engagement with the sun gear and the ring gear. The crack arresting feature extends at least partially through a portion of the carrier unit and is configured to receive a crack propagating from a central aperture of the carrier unit. The crack arresting feature is disposed radially between the central aperture and the mounting holes.

Abstract: An integrated pinion/bearing/coupling (PBC) assembly for use with a hypoid gearset in power transfer assemblies of motor vehicles having mounting features and venting features. The integrated PBC assembly includes a hollow pinion unit made of steel and including a pinion shaft segment and a pinion gear segment, and a coupling unit having a hub segment made of aluminum. A brazing sleeve is used to braze the aluminum hub segment of the coupling unit to the steel pinion shaft segment of the pinion unit. The PBC assembly can further include a constant velocity joint (CVJ) unit connected to, or formed as part of, the coupling unit.

Abstract: A two-speed transfer case for a four-wheel drive vehicle is provided. The transfer case has a two-speed planetary gearset, a range clutch, and a range shift mechanism. The planetary gearset includes a carrier unit having at least one crack arresting feature configured to limit propagation of a stress crack. The carrier unit includes a plurality of mounting holes for securing planet gears for rotation relative to the carrier unit. The gearset includes a sun gear configured for and a ring gear, with the planet gears in meshed engagement with the sun gear and the ring gear. The crack arresting feature extends at least partially through a portion of the carrier unit and is configured to receive a crack propagating from a central aperture of the carrier unit. The crack arresting feature is disposed radially between the central aperture and the mounting holes.

Abstract: An integrated pinion/bearing/coupling (PBC) assembly for use with a hypoid gearset in power transfer assemblies of motor vehicles having mounting features and venting features, The integrated PBC assembly includes a hollow pinion unit made of steel and including a pinion shaft segment and a pinion gear segment, and a coupling unit having a hub segment made of aluminum. A brazing sleeve is used to braze the aluminum hub segment of the coupling unit to the steel pinion shaft segment of the pinion unit.

Abstract: An integrated pinion/bearing/coupling (PBC) assembly for use with a hypoid gearset in power transfer assemblies of motor vehicles having mounting features and venting features. The integrated PBC assembly includes a hollow pinion unit made of steel and including a pinion shaft segment and a pinion gear segment, and a coupling unit having a hub segment made of aluminum. A brazing sleeve is used to braze the aluminum hub segment of the coupling unit to the steel pinion shaft segment of the pinion unit.

Abstract: A rate-adaptive pacemaker and a method for its operation in which the response factor for a minute ventilation sensor or other type of exertion level sensor is automatically set during a parameter adjustment mode that utilizes an activity level measurement to determine when the patient is at a target activity level with which is associated an appropriate target pacing rate. In a preferred embodiment, the target activity level corresponds to casual walking (e.g., 2 mph at a 4% grade) with a target pacing rate selected as appropriate for that level of activity in the individual patient.

Abstract: A Toilet Flushing System using Wastewater (10) includes a mounting bracket assembly (24) for mounting within the tank (12) of a conventional water closet. The assembly (24) uses a release float (28) to rise with tank water level and eventually release a main float (26) when the tank water level reaches float release level. The main float (26), when released will cause a shutoff plunger (50) to engage a valve retaining arm (51) to release the valve release arm (56) and thereby shut off fresh water flow into the tank (12), and also activate flapper valve (34) to release flushing water into the toilet. Water is introduced into the tank (12) either via the fill valve (60) or via a drain pipe (10) interconnecting a gray water supply from the drain (16) of an adjacent sink basin (16).

Abstract: A rate-adaptive pacemaker and a method for its operation in which the response factor for a minute ventilation sensor or other type of exertion level sensor is automatically set during a parameter adjustment mode that utilizes an activity level measurement to determine when the patient is at a target activity level with which is associated an appropriate target pacing rate. In a preferred embodiment, the target activity level corresponds to casual walking (e.g., 2 mph at a 4% grade) with a target pacing rate selected as appropriate for that level of activity in the individual patient.

Abstract: A cam for a brake is provided that allows for greater brake shoe travel and thicker brake linings while providing the same or greater mechanical force as compared to conventional cams. One or more lobes of the cam include multiple portions having varying profiles in axial cross-section. The variation in the cam profiles results in a cam in which the outermost ends or tips of the lobes are longer than in conventional cams yet retain the same mechanical strength.

Abstract: A disc brake rotor assembly has a central carrier with a first side and a second side. At least two wear surfaces are releasably secured to the first side and at least two wear surfaces are releasably secured to the second side. A locking mechanism disposed within the central carrier selectively engages and releases the wear surfaces.

Abstract: A heat sink includes a heat conducting substrate and a plurality of directive heat elements disposed within the substrate such that a first end of each of the plurality directive heat elements are adapted to be disposed proximate a heat generating device and a second end of each of the plurality of directive heat elements are spaced apart within the substrate to promote the transfer to heat from the heat generating device through the directive elements to an area of the heat conducting substrate which is larger than the area of the heat generating device. In this way, the heat sink transforms a high heat flux density existing at one end of the directive heat elements proximate a device being cooled to a low heat flux density at an opposite end of the directive heat elements.

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow has a housing with a plurality of ports. A movable element has a movable surface with an opening, and is capable of moving between (i) a first position in which the opening is aligned to at least one of the ports such that fluid can pass between ports, and (ii) a second position which blocks the passage of fluid between the ports. At least one rim seal encircles each of the ports, each opening, or both. A floating seal is positioned between the movable surface and the housing and is in contact with the at least one rim seal. The floating seal has a passage that aligns with the opening of the movable surface and at least one of the ports when the movable element is in the first position, and a continuous sealing surface about the passage that is sufficiently long to close off the opening of the movable surface as the movable element moves from the first position to the second position, thereby reducing leakage of fluid between the movable surface opening and the ports.

Abstract: A disc brake rotor assembly has a central carrier with a first side and a second side. At least two wear surfaces are releasably secured to the first side and at least two wear surfaces are releasably secured to the second side. A locking mechanism disposed within the central carrier selectively engages and releases the wear surfaces.

Abstract: A cam for a brake is provided that allows for greater brake shoe travel and thicker brake linings while providing the same or greater mechanical force as compared to conventional cams. One or more lobes of the cam include multiple portions having varying profiles in axial cross-section. The variation in the cam profiles results in a cam in which the outermost ends or tips of the lobes are longer than in conventional cams yet retain the same mechanical strength.

Abstract: A heat removal system includes a heatsink assembly having a base and a plurality of heat conducting folded fin members projecting from a first surface of the base and arranged to leave an open space on the first surface of the base. At least one thermally conductive slug projects from the center of the folded fin members and the folded fin members are thermally coupled to the slug. A gas circulating system is disposed over the slug and fin members projecting from the first surface of the base. The sidewall of a fin may be provided with at least one aperture. The top surface of the fin is closed, thereby permitting the fin to operate as a plenum of sorts. The bottom of the troughs may also be closed. The fins/troughs act as a plenum. A method of producing the folded fin heatsink member is also described.

Abstract: A thermal interface material and methods for preparing the same are disclosed. The thermal interface material comprises a copper mesh and a slurry. The copper mesh is impregnated and coated with the slurry. The slurry comprises a liquid metal alloy mixed with a plurality of thermal conductive particles. The methods include methods for preparing the thermal interface material, preparing the slurry, preparing the mesh, preparing the device for receiving the material, and for applying the thermal interface to the device.

Abstract: Scalable Computer Interconnect (CSI) compliant multi-stage switching networks compactly electrically communicatively interconnect a large number N of electrically communicating devices, typically computers or memories, in three-dimensional space. The logic networks, including a preferred “layered network” of U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,468, are (i) rotated, (ii) folded and (iii) squared per companion U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,247 so as to assume optimal topology. The topologically-optimized switching network logic is physically realized as (i) planar panels each mounting multi-chip modules, or tiles, each having logic switchpoints each realized by switch dice, plus vias through the tiles, plus pads upon both sides of the tiles, plus connective wiring layers upon the tile, connected by (ii) multi-conductor flexible flat printed circuit cables located between the adjacent panels. System peak performance is 24 teraflops/second.

Abstract: Dense physical and electrical connection of (i) flat flexible multiconductor cables of the printed circuit or ribbon types, to (ii) to spaced-parallel planar modules, particularly to switching modules containing switching chips, is realized by (1) a particular connection geometry in combination with (2) a spring clip connector. Flat flexible multiconductor cables routed through free space either in (i) “X” and, optionally also, “Z” planes, or else in (ii) “Y” planes exclusively, have their conductors' ends stripped and bent 90° so as to lie upon conductive pads, arrayed along lines angled 45° to both the “X” and “Y” planes, located on the substrates of switching modules that are within “Z” planes.

Abstract: Multi-stage switching networks may be constructed and expanded from small to very large networks that are contained within a compact physical volume. This is accomplished by replication of a pre-selected network module containing switches by a rotating, folding and squaring process that substantially reduces the length of connections between switches. This geometry allows very large networks by inductively combining smaller networks into larger networks. In networks constructed with this geometry, the length of the longest connections between switches is proportional to the square root of the number of ports provided by the network.