Abstract: A method includes etching a dielectric layer of a substrate to form an opening in the dielectric layer, forming a metal layer extending into the opening, performing an anneal process, so that a bottom portion of the metal layer reacts with a semiconductor region underlying the metal layer to form a source/drain region, performing a plasma treatment process on the substrate using a process gas including hydrogen gas and a nitrogen-containing gas to form a silicon-and-nitrogen-containing layer, and depositing a metallic material on the silicon-and-nitrogen-containing layer.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) vibration damper for damping axial and rotational vibrations of an automotive steering system may include a housing encasing MR fluid therein and a gear-like rotor and orifice plate disposed within the housing. The rotor and orifice plate, which may be affixed to the steering wheel shaft, includes a plurality of gear-like teeth on its surface and a plurality of holes for producing shear and normal forces, respectively, on the MR fluid. Electric coils may be disposed within the housing for generating an electric field for activating the MR fluid. The MR vibration damper may be activated or deactivated by a controller by comparing a signal value from a steering wheel vibration sensor to a predetermined threshold value. The controller may be programmable by a user to increase or decrease the predetermined threshold value, so as to enable customization of driving feel.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) vibration damper for damping axial and rotational vibrations of an automotive steering system may include a housing encasing MR fluid therein and a gear-like rotor and orifice plate disposed within the housing. The rotor and orifice plate, which may be affixed to the steering wheel shaft, includes a plurality of gear-like teeth on its surface and a plurality of holes for producing shear and normal forces, respectively, on the MR fluid. Electric coils may be disposed within the housing for generating an electric field for activating the MR fluid. The MR vibration damper may be activated or deactivated by a controller by comparing a signal value from a steering wheel vibration sensor to a predetermined threshold value. The controller may be programmable by a user to increase or decrease the predetermined threshold value, so as to enable customization of driving feel.

Abstract: A system for reducing steering nibble and other vibrations in a power-assisted steering system increases the amount of damping force when a power steering boost system is applying little or no steering force to the steering actuator, and reduces the amount of damping force when the power boost system is applying significant steering force to the steering actuator. A damping member is formed of a polymer material and is urged into contact with the steering actuator by a spring-biased clamping member. A shuttle valve regulates pressure from the hydraulic steering boost system to overcome the spring biasing force whenever hydraulic pressure is applied to the steering actuator. The preload of the spring biasing mechanism is varied by an electronic control unit that receives inputs from a driver-activated switch, and from vehicle condition sensors to allow automatic, adaptive adjustment of the damping to optimize driving comfort and safety.

Abstract: A system for reducing steering nibble and other vibrations in a power-assisted steering system increases the amount of damping force when a power steering boost system is applying little or no steering force to the steering actuator, and reduces the amount of damping force when the power boost system is applying significant steering force to the steering actuator. A damping member is formed of a polymer material and is urged into contact with the steering actuator by a spring-biased clamping member. A shuttle valve regulates pressure from the hydraulic steering boost system to overcome the spring biasing force whenever hydraulic pressure is applied to the steering actuator. The preload of the spring biasing mechanism is varied by an electronic control unit that receives inputs from a driver-activated switch, and from vehicle condition sensors to allow automatic, adaptive adjustment of the damping to optimize driving comfort and safety.

Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle having wheels. The brake system includes a brake housing and a flow chamber housing. The brake housing includes a friction element being adapted to move to engage a portion of the wheels for inhibiting rotation of the wheels. The flow chamber housing includes a substantially circular flow chamber and a brake fluid line. The substantially circular chamber housing includes an enlarged flow chamber has a circumferential wall and a peripheral wall and a pair of opposite walls. The enlarged flow chamber is fluidly interconnected to the brake housing for supplying fluid to the brake housing for moving the friction element. The brake fluid line is connected substantially tangentially to the circumferential wall of the flow chamber housing includes a first fluid line connected to the peripheral wall of the enlarged flow chamber and a master cylinder fluid line connected to one of the pair of substantially circular flow chamber whereby oppositely facing walls of the enlarged flow chamber.

Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle having wheels. The brake system includes a brake housing and a flow chamber housing. The brake housing includes a friction element being adapted to move to engage a portion of thewheels to inhibitfor inhibiting rotation of the wheels. The flow The flow chamber housing includes a substantially circular flow chamber and a brake fluid line. The substantially circularchamber housing includes an enlarged flow chamber has a circumferential wall andhaving a peripheral wall and a pair of opposite walls. The enlarged flow chamber is fluidly interconnected to the brake housing for supplying fluid to the brake housing for moving the friction element.

Abstract: A damper (40) for damping tactile vibration (FIG. 4) caused by pressure changes induced in hydraulic fluid by an operational characteristic of a hydraulic-operated brake (22; 24) when the brake is braking a rotating object (14; 16). A piston (54) is displaceable within a housing bore (52) and divides the bore into a first chamber (56) confronting one axial face of the piston and a second chamber (58) confronting an opposite axial face of the piston. A port (59) communicates hydraulic fluid to the first chamber such that increasing hydraulic fluid pressure is effective to displace the piston toward the second chamber. A spring (60) that is operated by displacement of the piston within the bore resists piston displacement toward the second chamber as hydraulic fluid pressure increases and aids piston displacement toward the first chamber as hydraulic fluid pressure decreases. The invention is useful in hydraulic-operated motor vehicle brakes.